Police blame suspected herdsmen for kidnap of Imo priest

The Imo state police command has confirmed the abduction of a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Marcel Izu Onyeocha, blaming it on suspected herdsmen.

Police Spokesman, Orlando Ikeokwu, who confirmed the incident in a statement, said Onyeocha is of the Mother Theresa of Golgotha Catholic Church , World Bank, Owerri, the state capital.

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According to the statement, the cleric was travelling when his car broke down along Port Harcourt-Enugu Expressway.

The statement said, “On 11/04/21, one Bissong Isa Atugu reported that on the 10/03/21, at about 7:45pm ,while driving from Enugu to Owerri with a Nissan Exterra SUV, in company of one Rev . Fr. Marcel Izu Onyeocha of Mother Theresa of Golgotha Catholic Church, World Bank Owerri, the vehicle developed fault around Ihube in Okigwe LGA, and as they stepped down to check the vehicle, a group of people believed to be Fulani herdsmen emerged from the bush and inflicted machete cut injuries on him, while the priest was kidnapped and taken to unknown destination.

“Sequel to the above, the Commissioner of Police, CP Nasiru Mohammed , has activated all the tactical teams of the Command, with a view to rescue the priest, and possibly arrest the culprits.

“He however calls for calm as the Command will do everything possible to ensure the rescue of the priest.”