It has been reported that a Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Joseph Azubuike, has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Ebonyi State.
According to reports released on Tuesday, the cleric was abducted yesterday in Isu, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, while returning from his pastoral duties.
News About Nigeria confirms that the attackers apparently also abducted three additional individuals, whose identities are yet to be confirmed. The Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki in the state has confirmed Azubuike’s abduction in a statement released by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Uzoma Opoke, entitled “Call for Prayers.”
“Fr. Joseph is the Parish Priest of St. Charles Parish, Mgbalaeze Isu in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
“He was abducted alongside three other people. The abductors are making financial demands, but with your prayers, we are going to have them back unconditionally.
“May Mother Mary of priests intercede for us. Amen. St. Joseph-Pray for us,” the statement reads.
However, the state police command is yet to issue any official statement on the abduction as of reporting time.
In a similar story, News About Nigeria reports that some terrorists and assailants killed at least five persons, including four Nigeria police officers, on Monday midnight in Zamfara state.
The gunmen were said to have invaded the Bungudu local government area of the state and sprayed bullets indiscriminately.
The officers involved were pronounced dead after they mounted a checkpoint along Bungudu-Gusau Road when the terrorists decided to confront them in a gun battle.
The spokesperson for Zamfara State Police Command, ASP Yazid Abubakar, while speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday morning, confirmed the latest attack saying police officers were shot dead in the confrontation.
A community resident who spoke with the news platform, Ibrahim Bungudu, also confirmed that four police officers were murdered in the incident.
