An attempt to kidnap the Catholic Bishop of Orlu Diocese in Imo State, His Lordship Most Rev Dr Augustine Ukwuoma, has been foiled by the Nigerian Army.
A yet-to-be identified gunmen reportedly invaded the priest’s residence in the early hours of Sunday but failed to abduct him as troops of ‘Exercise Golden DAWN’ thwarted the operation.
Pictures of the attack show that the criminals destroyed the burglary proof on the window and damaged one of the doors in the house. An expended shell casing from a double-barreled gun was also seen on the floor.
A statement signed the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the priest and his secretary are safe and that the attackers ran away when the soldiers arrived the scene.
“Troops of Exercise Golden DAWN Sector 3 have foiled an attempted kidnap and robbery of his Lordship Most Rev Dr Augustine Ukwuoma at the Orlu Diocesan Catholic Secretariat, BSC Road Orlu Imo State.
“The troops in response to a distress call at about 2:30am today, Sunday 31st October 2021, swiftly moved to the scene forcing the assailants to take to their heels thereby abandoning their mission. The Bishop, his Secretary and Assistant Secretary are safe and unhurt.
“Troops will continue to deny freedom of action to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), its affiliate the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and other criminal gangs operating within the sector especially as the elections in Anambra State draws nearer and during the yuletide season.
“Members of the public are advised to report suspicious movement of criminals as well as hide out of the outlawed IPOB/ESN to law enforcement agencies as the group is only out to intimidate, steal and kidnap for ransom law-abiding citizens,” said the army.
