…By Larry John for TDPel Media. A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Mathias Opara, has reportedly been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in Imo State.

According to reports received by Naija News, the priest was returning from a burial ceremony in the Izombe community, Oguta Local Government Area, when the incident occurred.

The ambush and abduction took place along the Ejemekwuru and Ogbaku road between Oguta and Mbaitoli Local Government Areas.

An eyewitness, who spoke to journalists, recounted that the priest and several other individuals in the same vehicle were double-crossed and kidnapped while heading back to Owerri.

The witness described how the incident unfolded, stating that they were returning from the funeral ceremony when the gunmen emerged from the bush and ambushed them.

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The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, stated that he had not yet received official notice of the abduction.

However, the Director of Public Communications of the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Raymond Ogu, confirmed the incident.

He revealed that the priest and three other passengers were released at one point, while the kidnappers kept Fr. Opara and fled into the bush.

Ogu mentioned that one small boy among the passengers managed to escape during the ambush.

This recent kidnapping of Fr. Opara comes just a week after another Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Jude Maduka, was kidnapped in Okigwe Local Government Area.

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Fr. Maduka was taken while preparing for the Eucharistic Mass celebration at his adoration ground.

It is worth noting that in April, Rev. Fr. Michael Asumogha from St. Paul’s Catholic Parish, Osu, in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Okigwe Catholic diocese, was also kidnapped but was later released.

The abductions of priests in the region highlight the concerning issue of insecurity and the targeting of religious figures in Nigeria.

The Catholic community and authorities continue to call for increased security measures to protect priests and prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

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About the Author:

Larry John is a talented writer and journalist based in New York, USA. He is a valued contributor to TDPel Media, where he creates engaging and informative content for readers. Larry has a keen interest in current events, business, and technology, and he enjoys exploring these topics in-depth to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the issues. His writing style is characterized by its clarity, precision, and attention to detail, which make his articles a pleasure to read. Larry’s passion for storytelling has earned him a reputation as a skilled writer and a respected authority in his field.

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