Kidnapped Catholic Priest Regains Freedom – Official

A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, who was abducted by gunmen in Imo State, has been freed. The Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, Patrick Mbarah, confirmed the news in a statement on Wednesday.

Abduction and Release

Fr. Ubaechu was kidnapped on Sunday evening along Ejemekwuru Road in Oguta Local Government Area. He serves as the parish priest of Holy Family Catholic Church in Izombe, a community in the same region. His captors reportedly demanded a ransom of N20 million before his release, which happened three days later.

Earlier on Wednesday, police in Anambra State announced they had rescued another kidnapped Catholic priest, highlighting the growing security concerns in the region.

Official Statement

In his statement, Mbarah expressed gratitude for the priest’s safe return. “We thank God for His infinite mercy and for answering our prayers,” he said, acknowledging the support and prayers of Catholic faithful and concerned Nigerians. However, he did not confirm whether a ransom was paid for the priest’s release.

Rising Cases of Kidnapping

Kidnapping for ransom has become a major issue in Imo State and across the South-East. Civil servants, businesspeople, politicians, and even students have become frequent targets. While no group has claimed responsibility for Fr. Ubaechu’s abduction, authorities have often linked similar attacks to the separatist group IPOB. The group, however, continues to deny involvement.