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Spiritan Kidnapped in Nigeria Released, “alive and in good health”: Congregation Reports

Fr. Gerald Ohaeri, Credit: Spiritans in Nigeria

Fr. Gerald Ohaeri, a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost Fathers/Spiritans) who was kidnapped on November 30 in the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka has been set free, is alive and in good health, members of the Congregation have said.

In a statement shared with ACI Africa, Spiritan Provincial Secretary, Fr. Vitalls Anusionwu, says that the lecturer at Spiritan School of Philosophy, Isienu in the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka was released on Wednesday, December 4.

“I am directed to bring to your notice that our Confrere, Rev. Fr. Gerald OHAERI, C.S.Sp. who was kidnapped in the evening of Saturday, November 30, 2024 has been released, alive and in good health,” Fr. Anusionwu says in the statement issued December 4.

He adds, “We thank God and thank you all for your prayers and support all through these rough days.”

Fr. Ohaeri was kidnapped while on his way back to the institution from a function at Enugu, about 30 miles away.

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Spiritans in Nigeria solicited prayers for the safe release of their confrere.

Nigeria has been battling with a surge of violence orchestrated by gangs, whose members carry out indiscriminate attacks, kidnapping for ransom, and in some cases, killing.

Boko Haram insurgency has been a major challenge in the country since 2009, a group that allegedly aims to turn Africa's most populous nation into an Islamic nation.

The latest abduction and release of Fr. Ohaeri follows a series of other kidnappings that have targeted members of the Clergy in Africa’s most populous nation.

On November 14, renowned Nigerian gospel singer, Sir Jude Nnam was abducted and later released.

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Earlier on November 5, Fr. Emmanuel Azubuike Parish Priest of St. Theresa Obollo Parish of the Catholic Diocese of Okigwe was abducted and later released.

The Rector of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Fr. Thomas Oyode, was abducted on October 27; he was released after a 10-day captivity, on November 6.

Fr. Mikah Suleima who was abducted on June 22 from his Parish Rectory in Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Sokoto regained his freedom.

On June 9, Fr. Gabriel Ukeh was abducted from a parish rectory in the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan. He reportedly regained his freedom the following day, on June 10. 

Fr. Oliver Buba, a Catholic Priest of the Diocese of Yola was abducted on May 21 in the Catholic Diocese; he was later released.

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Earlier, on May 15, the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha announced the abduction of Fr. Basil Gbuzuo, who was also later set free.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.