By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Yet-to-be-identified gunmen have kidnapped an Anambra-based priest of the Catholic community, Rev. Fr. Basil Chukwuemeka Gbuzuo.
Rev. Fr. Gbuzuo, a catholic priest of the Onitsha Archdiocese and the Spiritual Director of Mountain of Solution Catholic Adoration Ministry (MOSCAM) was reportedly kidnapped on Wednesday, May 15 2024.
That is coming barely one month after he was listed in a viral PUBLICATION (Top 10 Richest Reverend Fathers in Nigeria: A Comprehensive List by infonaijahub) as one of top ten richest Catholic clergymen in Nigeria.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Rev. Fr. Prudentius E. Aroh, the popular Catholic cleric was kidnapped at about 8.am on Wednesday, along the Eke Nkpor—Obosi Bypass.
Whereas noting that Fr. Gbuzuo is a Priest-in-Residence on the Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, Ogidi, the Chancellor additionally revealed that the abductors haven’t established any contact with anyone relating to the priest.
“His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian M. Okeke, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, invitations all Christ’s faithful and all men and women of goodwill to earnestly pray for the short and protected release of the priest as we intensify our efforts to make sure his freedom.
“We commend our brother, Fr. Basil, to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mom of Priests, for his speedy release from the arms of his kidnappers,” he stated.
Police React, Launch Manhunt
Meanwhile, the operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have launched a manhunt for the abductors of the kidnapped priest ana to secure his safe release.
The Spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, disclosed this in a chat with this reporter, Izunna Okafor, throughout which he additionally revealed that the new Commissioner of Police within the State, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, had addressed and allayed the fears of the Catholic priests relating to the incident, assuring of his protected rescue
“The Command is already working with some eyewitnesses to the incident within the ongoing operation
In the meantime, the Commissioner of “Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam whereas addressing the Catholic priests allayed their fears and assured them that the Command would do all the things to rescue unharmed the priest, and arrest the abductors.
“Additional development shall be communicated, please,” SP Ikenga stated.
