Catholic Priest Abducted By Gunmen In Imo While Traveling For His Father’s Burial In Anambra

A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Valentine Oluchukwu Ezeagu, has been abducted by unknown gunmen in Imo State, while travelling for his father’s burial in Aguata, Anambra State.

It was gathered that the incident happened yesterday when Fr. Valentine was driving in Imo, four armed men came out from the bush and forced him to the back of his car and sped off.

His abduction was confirmed in a statement dated December 15, 2020, issued and signed by the Secretary-General, Sons of Mary Mother of Mercy Generalate, Ohokobe Afaraukwu, Umuahia, Rev. Fr. Goodluck C. Ajaero.

The release, captioned “Notice of the kidnap of our brother, Rev. Fr. Valentine Oluchukwu Ezeagu”, gave a graphic account of how the priest was kidnapped.

“I write to notify you of the kidnap of our brother, Rev. Fr. Valentine Oluchukwu Ezeagu, a member of our religious congregation, Sons of Mary Mother of Mercy, Umuahia, Nigeria.

“Fr. Valentine was travelling to his village, Igboukwu in Aguata local government area of Anambra State, for his father’s funeral.

“He was travelling in a Toyota Corolla 2005 model, sky green in colour. The plate number of his car is JJJ 664 BM.

“According to an eye witness, who was driving in a bus behind him, four armed men came out from the bush, at a bad spot at Umulolo, Arondizuogu (Ideato North local council area of Imo State), and forced him to the back of the car and sped off.”

While saying that the funeral mass for the burial of the kidnapped priest’s father, holds December 17, 2020, his religious congregation called for fervent prayers for the immediate release of Fr. Valentine.

Meanwhile, the Anglican Church has suspended the Ekiti West Diocesan Bishop, Victor Adepoju, for one year after he confessed to having sex with the wife of a priest in the same diocese.