A priest of Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Joseph Igweagu, has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Anambra.
Igweagu, Parish Priest of St. Joseph Parish, Abata Nsugbe, Anambra East Local Government Area of the state was kidnapped on Wednesday, Oct. 12 on his way home after a vigil Mass at Umunnachi in Njikoka area of the state.
A press statement on behalf of the Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese by the Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Prudentius Aroh on Tuesday in Awka, announced the incident.
The press statement titled: “An urgent call for sincere prayer for Kidnap of Rev. Fr Joseph Igweagu”, did not give more details as to whether his abductors had called to demand for ransom or not.
“It is with shock but strong faith in the love and protection of God that we announce to the Priests, religious, lay faithful of Onitsha Archdiocese and all men and women of goodwill, the abduction of our Priest Rev. Fr. Joseph Igweagu, the Parish Priest of St Joseph Parish Abata Nsugbe.
“Rev. Fr. Igweagu was kidnapped while returning to his house after celebrating a funeral Vigil Mass at Umunnachi on Wednesday evening, Oct.12.
“We solicit sincere prayers for his unconditional release from the hands of his abductors. The Archdiocese of Onitsha is doing everything possible to secure his freedom.
“While we pray for the conversion of his abductors, we call on our Mother Mary, to intercede on his behalf so that he will be quickly released unhurt.”
When contacted, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) police command in Anambra, said the command was not aware of the incident.
“There is no such report before me please. I urge the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha to come forward with necessary information that will help us embark on investigations for possible rescue of the victim,” Ikenga said.
In a related development, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has urged the 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army to extend Exercise Still Water II to cover the maritime domain to ensure peace in the coastal waters.
Emmanuel gave the advice while flagging off the exercise at the Mbiokporo Military Cantonment near Uyo, on Tuesday.
108scoop.com reports that Exercise Still Water II is an inter-unit and inter-agency security operation expected to run till Dec. 22.
The Governor represented by his Deputy, Mr Moses Ekpo, said extending the exercise to maritime domain would flush out sea pirates and criminals in the waterways.
He said this was important, so as to allow fishermen carry out their businesses unmolested.
Emmanuel also commended the synergy existing between the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, saying that it had ensured peace in the state.
“We commend the 2 Brigade for what they have been doing to maintain peace and order in the State; from the bottom of my heart, I appreciate your work.
“I urge you to extend the exercise to maritime area for more peace in our waterways, as a state government, we will continue to support the Army,” Emmanuel said.
The governor also urged the army to continue to promote good military-civil relation, to ease their work.
Earlier, the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Abubakar Wase, said Exercise Still Water was a brigade level field training for units and sub units in combating prevailing and emerging security threats.
He said it would serve as precursor to real time operations to checkmate the multifarious security challenges in the state.
According to him, the exercise would tackle security challenges such as militancy, separatist agitations, pipeline vandalism, illegal oil bunkering, cultism and communal clashes.
He said that participants were drawn from units under the Command, sister services and other security agencies.
“The coming together of security agencies for this Exercise will no doubt enhance synergy and inter-agency cooperation in joint environment.
“This is hinged upon the desire of the General Officer Commanding 6 Division consistent push for security agencies to jointly tackle the emerging security threats,” Wase said.
He added that during the exercise, the Brigade would render free medical outreach to some communities in the state.
The commander enjoined the general public to call 09070077175 or 08163256562 in case of any security breach.
