Nigeria’s Owerri Catholic Archdiocese Appeals for Prayers for “quick and safe release” of Abducted Priest

Owerri, 24 March, 2025 / 8:25 PM

The Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri is appealing for prayers for the speedy and “safe release” of Fr. John Ubaechu, who was abducted on Sunday, March 23.

In a statement shared with ACI Africa, the Chancellor of the Nigerian Catholic Archdiocese, Fr. Patrick C. Mbarah, provides details about the abduction of the Parish Priest of Holy Family Izombe Parish of Owerri Archdiocese.

“The sad incident occurred along Ejemekwuru road in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State,” Fr. Mbarah says in the Monday, March 24 statement.

The Chancellor of the Nigerian Archdiocese adds that Fr. Ubaechu “was kidnapped on his way to the Priests' Annual Retreat.”

“We invite all Christ's Faithful and all men and women of goodwill to earnestly pray for the quick and safe release of our Priest,” Fr. Mbarah says.

He implores, “We commend our brother, Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his abductors.”

Insecurity is rife in Nigeria, where kidnappings, murder, and other forms of persecution against Christians remain rampant in many parts of the West African country, especially in the north.

On March 5, Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan was murdered, a day after his abduction.

The latest abduction of Fr. Ubaechu follows a series of other kidnappings that have targeted Catholic Priests in Africa’s most populous nation.

On February 6, Fr. Cornelius Manzak Damulak, a member of the Clergy of the Catholic Diocese of Shendam and student at Veritas University Abuja in the West African nation was abducted and later escaped from captivity. 

Later, on February 19, Fr. Moses Gyang Jah of St. Mary Maijuju Parish of Shendam Diocese was abducted alongside his niece and the Parish Council Chairman, Mr. Nyam Ajiji. The Parish Council Chairman was reportedly killed. Fr. Jah and his niece are yet to be freed.

On February 22, Fr. Matthew David Dutsemi and Fr. Abraham Saummam were abducted from the Catholic Diocese of Yola. They were later released.

And the Seminarian abducted on March 3 from a Parish Rectory in Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Auchi alongside Fr. Philip Ekweli was murdered by his abductors. Fr. Ekweli was set free.

Nigeria has been experiencing insecurity since 2009, when Boko Haram insurgency began with the aim of turning the country into an Islamic state. Catholic Bishops in the country have continually challenged the government to prioritize the security of the citizens.