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Prayer Appeal for Catholic Priest Kidnapped from Umuahia Diocese in Nigeria

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By Jude Atemanke

Umuahia, 21 December, 2022 / 10:02 pm (ACI Africa).

Prayers are being sought for the safe release of Fr. Christopher Ogide, the Catholic Priest reportedly abducted from Nigeria’s Umuahia Diocese on December 17.

In a Monday, December 19 statement, the Chancellor of the Nigerian Diocese provides details about the abduction of Fr. Ogide who serves as Curate at St. Maria Assumpta Parish of Umuahia Diocese.

Fr. Henry Maduka says, “The sad event occurred on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at the entrance gate of the Parish house while Fr. Ogide was driving out to buy fuel.”

“The kidnappers have not yet established contact with the diocese,” Fr. Maduka adds.

In the statement, the Chancellor of Umuahia Diocese shares the prayer appeal of the Local Ordinary of the Nigerian Episcopal See, Bishop Michael Kalu Ukpong.

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“Most Rev. Michael Kalu urges all the faithful of the Diocese to be prayerful and remain calm,” Fr. Maduka says, adding that Bishop Kalu is calling upon the people of God “to pray for the release and safe return of Fr. Ogide.”

The December 17 abduction Fr. Ogide is part of the recent kidnappings targeting church personnel in Africa’s most populous country.

The West African nation has been battling with a surge of violence orchestrated by gangs. The gang members have been carrying out indiscriminate attacks, kidnapping for ransom, and in some cases, killing.

The country has also been experiencing the Boko Haram insurgency since 2019. The group reportedly aims at turning Nigeria into an Islamic nation.

Jude Atemanke

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.

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