Gunmen have abducted a Catholic priest, Kingsley Eze, and his driver in Imo State, South-east Nigeria. The incident took place at a road junction in Umuekebi, Osuoweerre on Thursday evening. The attackers, who were on two motorcycles, also robbed shop owners before leaving the scene. Father Ichie, as he is popularly known, is in charge of Saint Michael’s Catholic Church Parish in the community. The abduction has left church members and the community in shock and fear. One church member expressed their concern and prayed for the safe return of the priest and his driver.
This is not the first kidnapping incident in the area, as an indigene of the community pointed out. The resident highlighted the need for help and called on the government to intervene in the worsening security situation. The attackers in the region are reported to move around on motorcycles and are armed with pump-action guns.
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Imo State, like other states in Nigeria’s south-east, has experienced a rise in insecurity with frequent attacks by armed individuals. These attacks often target security agencies, government officials, and facilities. Just a few days prior to this incident, gunmen suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) killed a divisional police officer and a police inspector in the state. The Nigerian government has accused IPOB of being responsible for the attacks in the region, but the group has denied any involvement.
The killing of the traditional ruler of Otulu Community and the ward chairperson of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state are other recent incidents that have shaken the region. The Nigerian government needs to address the escalating security challenges in Imo State and ensure the safety of its citizens.
