Catholic Priest abducted by unknown gunmen in Anambra

By Phil Okose, Onitsha

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, Anambra State, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke has announced the abduction of one of his priests, Rev. Fr. Basil Gbuzuo, by a yet to be identified gunmen.

Okeke announced the unfortunate incident in a statement made available to newsmen in Onitsha on Thursday.

He disclosed that the incident happened on Wednesday morning, along Eke Nkpor-Obosi by-pass, at about 8:00 a. m.

“With sadness, we write to inforn the general public of the kidnap of one of our priests, Rev. Fr. Basil Gbuzuo. The sad incident occurred yesterday morning, Wednesday.
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“He is a priest in residence at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, Ogidi. Until now, the abductors have not established any contact with anybody.

“We are inviting all Christ’s faithful and all men and women of goodwill to eamestly pray for the quick and safe release of the priest as we intensify our efforts to ensure his freedom”, he said.

“We commit our brother, Fr. Basil, to the powerful intercession of the Blessed ,Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his kidnappers.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said that the Command has launched a manhunt for the abductors and possible rescue of Fr. Basil.

Ikenga added that the command was already working with some eyewitnesses to the incident in the ongoing operation.

He said that the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, while addressing the Catholic priests allayed their fears and assured them that the command would do everything to rescue him unhurt and arrest the abductors.