Ekwulobia, 13 July, 2024 / 8:02 pm (ACI Africa).
Fr. Christian Ike and Catechist Mazi Ogbonnaya Aneke who were reported abducted on June 16 while returning from Holy Mass at an outstation in Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia (CADEK) have been released.
In a statement dated Saturday, July 13 that was shared with ACI Africa, the Chancellor of the Nigerian Diocese, Fr. Lawrence Nwankwo, says the duo were set free “in the early hours of today.”
“We thank you for your prayers, calls, suggestions, and support during this difficult time,” Fr. Lawrence says, and adds, “May we not relent in our prayers for the healing of Rev. Fr. Christian, Mazi Ogbonnaya, and many other victims, from the trauma of their harrowing experiences.”
In the statement, the Nigerian Catholic Priest goes on to implore, “May we also pray for the many others still in captivity and for greater security of life in our part of the world.”
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.
