Gunmen have abducted Fr. John Ubaechu, the parish priest of Holy Family Catholic Church, Izombe, in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
Ubaechu was kidnapped on Sunday evening along Ejemekwuru Road in Oguta while on his way to attend the annual priests’ retreat.
The Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, Patrick Mbarah, confirmed the abduction in a statement on Monday, urging Catholics and Nigerians to pray for his safe release.
The Imo State Police Command’s spokesman, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident, saying an investigation had been launched.
He assured that an intelligence-driven operation was underway to rescue the priest and urged residents to provide any useful information to aid the investigation.
Rising cases of clergy abductions
In 2025, multiple cases of abductions and attacks on Catholic clergy have been recorded.
The latest abduction occurred just hours after security operatives in Anambra State rescued another kidnapped Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Stephen Echezona.
He was freed in Ichida, Ihiala Local Government Area, through a joint effort by the police, military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Anambra Vigilante Services (AVG).
On March 5, 2025, Fr. Philip Ekeli and seminarian Peter Andrew were kidnapped in Edo State. While Ekeli was freed after 10 days, Andrew was killed.
The same day, Rev. Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Tachira, Kaduna, was murdered by his kidnappers after being abducted from his residence on March 4.
Rev. Maurice Livinus, parish priest of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Isokpo, was kidnapped on February 12, 2025, along with two others in Rivers State.
Two Catholic nuns, Rev. Sister Vincentia Nwankwo and Sister Grace, were abducted in Onitsha, Anambra State on January 7, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command Anti-Kidnapping Unit has apprehended three suspects in connection with the kidnapping of Mr Sabinus Ibe, a 48-year-old resident of Owerri.
The suspects, identified as Favour Dike, female 22 years old; Ifeanyi Kingsley, 30 years old; and Wisdom Chikodi, 31 years old, were arrested on March 18, 2025, following investigations and strategic operations led by the Commander Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Owerri.
