Nigerian police officers [Photo: African Arguments]
Police in Nigeria have launched an operation in search of a Catholic priest who was kidnapped by gunmen over the weekend.
Gunmen abducted the Catholic priest in Imo State, South-east Nigeria.
The victim – Jude Maduka, was kidnapped in Ogii a community in the Okigwe Local Government Area of the state.
The Chancellor and Secretary of the Catholic Diocese of Okigwe, Princewill Iwuanyawu disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
“He was kidnapped from his new adoration site while on inspection at the new site,” Mr Iwuanyawu a Catholic priest said.
“We solicit your prayers that he may come back to us safe and sound,” he added.
The statement was silent on whether the kidnappers had contacted the diocese for ransom.
When contacted on Sunday, the police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident.
Mr Okoye, an assistant superintendent of police, said the police had launched an operation to rescue the kidnapped cleric.“We are on the trail of the abductors of Reverend Father Jude Kingsley Maduka to possibly rescue him,” he said.
The victim, Mr Maduka, is the parish priest of Christ the King Parish, Ezinnachi-Ugwaku Community, in the council area.
He was ordained a Catholic priest on 22 September 2012.
A newsmaker, reporter and anchor at Pearl Radio, Ndalilah Sharon is witty and savvy.
She is also a firm believer of Christ.