Gunmen have kidnapped the Parish priest of Saint Matthew’s Catholic Church in Ajalli, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Rev. Fr. Christian Ike, alongside one other person in an early morning attack.
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The Catholic priest was reportedly whisked away with another parishioner, Mr. Ogbonnia Aneke, on Sunday, at about 10am.
The Diocese of Ekwulobia confirmed the abduction in a letter from Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Nwankwo, and called for prayers for the safe release of the kidnapped individuals.
“Dear brothers and sisters, call for prayers. Kidnap case, Rev. Fr. Christian Ike. Please pray for the release of Rev. Fr. Christian Ike and Mr. Ogbonnia Aneke, who were kidnapped this morning around 9:45am as they were returning from Mass in an outstation of St. Matthew’s Parish, Ajalli, Orumba North L.G.A,” the church statement read.
Reacting to the development, the Anambra Police Command Spokesman, Ikenga Tochukwu, said they’ve “received the information of the abduction of Rev Father Christian Ike and has deployed its intelligence and operational assets of the command for possible rescue unhurt.
“Eyewitness account revealed that by 10:30am, on 16/6/2024, the priest and two others were returning from St. Michael Catholic Church Ndiokpaleke, where they attended morning service, along Amagu Junction, they were double-crossed by armed men operating in three vehicles, while the other two escaped the scene, the criminals took away the priest and some personal belongings of the occupants in the vehicle.
“To this end, the command has activated its intelligence and operational assets for possible arrest of the assailants and rescue unhurt of the priest. Further development shall be communicated, please.
Also, Police attached to the Fegge division in Onitsha, Anambra State said they arrested one Felix Owaya, aged 48 years, of Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State and recovered 375 three live cartridges during an operation at Niger Street, Fegge, Onitsha.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Toochukwu Ikenga, said during interrogation, the suspect confessed that he was sent by one Mr Charles Ogboma to a man he was yet to mention, to collect the ammunition.
The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, while commending police officers who made the recovery for their vigilance and tenacity of purpose directed all personnel in the Command to sustain the tempo of crime prevention and detection in service of the people of the State.
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