Umuahia, 15 December, 2020 / 2:11 pm (ACI Africa).
A Cleric who is a member of a Religious Order in Nigeria was kidnapped by unknown people on Tuesday, December 15 on his way to his father’s burial, the leadership of his Religious Congregation has said.
Nigerian-born Fr. Valentine Oluchukwu Ezeagu, a member of the Sons of Mary Mother of Mercy (SMMM) Congregation based in Nigeria’s Umuahia Diocese was kidnapped December 15 morning (around 8.00 a.m. local time) while driving within the country’s Imo State, Fr. Goodluck C. Ajacro, the Secretary General of SMMM has said in a December 15 statement obtained by ACI Africa.
“According to an eye witness who was driving in a bus behind him, four armed men came out from the bush in a bad spot at Umulolo, Arondizuegu, and forced him to the back of the car and sped off,” Fr. Ajacro says in the one-page statement in reference to Fr. Ezeagu’s kidnapping.
Fr. Ezeagu was on his way to neighboring Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria to participate in the burial of his father set for Thursday, December 17. A Vigil Mass for his father has been scheduled to take place Wednesday, December 16.
“We call for fervent prayers for his immediate release,” the Secretary General of the 50-year-old Congregation adds in reference to his kidnapped confrere.