Some yet-to-be-identified gunmen have kidnapped an Anambra-based priest of the Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Basil Gbuzuo.
Gbuzuo, a Catholic priest of the Units Archdiocese, was said to have been kidnapped on Wednesday, at about 8 am along the Eke Nkpor-Obosi Bypass, while on a journey.
The development came barely one month after he was listed in a publication as one of top 10 richest Catholic priests in Nigeria.
A statement issued by the Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Rev. Fr. Prudentius Aroh, revealed that the abductors had not established any contact with anybody regarding the priest.
The statement read, “His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian M. Okeke, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, invites all Christ’s faithful and all men and women of goodwill to earnestly pray for the quick and safe release of the priest as we intensify our efforts to ensure his freedom.
“We commit our brother, Fr. Basil, to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his kidnappers.”
The state police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a statement, when contacted.
Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, had addressed the Catholic priests on the development in the Bishop Conference at Onitsha.
He said, “The Anambra State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the abductors and possible rescue of Reverend Fr. Basil Chukwuemeka, which sad incident occurred at Nkpor Junction, Onitsha.
“The command is already working with some eyewitnesses of the incident in the ongoing operation
“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, while addressing the Catholic priests allayed their fears and assured them that the command would do everything to rescue unhurt the priest, and arrest the abductors.
“Further development shall be communicated, please.”
