Unidentified gunmen have kidnapped Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Azubuike, the parish priest of St. Theresa’s Catholic Parish in Obollo, located in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
According to Imo State Police command spokesperson Henry Okoye, the command received a report from the parish on Tuesday night indicating that the priest was abducted on his way back from an official assignment in Port Harcourt near the Ayayi community in Obollo.
In response, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Danjuma Aboki, has deployed a tactical team to pursue the kidnappers with the aim of securing the priest’s safe and unconditional release.
The police urge residents to remain calm, assuring them that all efforts are being made to rescue the priest.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese of Okigwe released a statement Tuesday night calling on both clergy and laity to pray earnestly for the priest’s safe return.