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Catholic Diocese in Nigeria Grateful for “fervent prayers, show of love” Following Release of Abducted Parish Priest

ACI Africa Staff

By ACI Africa Staff

Jos, 13 November, 2024 / 8:54 pm (ACI Africa).

The Parish Priest of St. Theresa's Catholic Parish of the Catholic Diocese of Okigwe in Nigeria, who was kidnapped on November 5 while returning from pastoral ministry has regained freedom.

In a Tuesday, November 12 letter shared with ACI Africa, the Chancellor of the Nigerian Catholic Diocese, Fr. Princewill Iwuanyanwu, confirmed the release of Fr. Emmanuel Azubuike who had been held captive for a week.

He thanked the people of God for their “fervent prayers and show of love” towards Fr. Azubuike, who the Chancellor says was released in the early hours of Monday, November 11.

On November 5, Fr. Azubuike was abducted near St. Theresa's Church in Obollo, located in the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, in southern Nigeria.

Fr. Azubuike’s abduction follows a series of other kidnappings that have targeted members of the Clergy in Africa’s most populous nation.

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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.

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

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Sabrine Amboka contributed to the writing of this story

ACI Africa Staff

ACI Africa was founded in 2019. We provide free, up-to-the-minute news affecting the Catholic Church in Africa, giving particular emphasis to the words of the Holy Father and happenings of the Holy See, to any person with access to the internet. ACI Africa is proud to offer free access to its news items to Catholic dioceses, parishes, and websites, in order to increase awareness of the activities of the universal Church and to foster a sense of Catholic thought and culture in the life of every Catholic.

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