Kidnapped Imo Catholic priest regains freedom

Reprieve came the way of the Owerri Catholic archdiocese as the abducted priest of the archdiocese, Marcel Onyeocha, regained freedom.

Onyeocha, a Prof of Philosophy at Imo State University, Owerri, was freed by his abductors in the early hours of Monday.

He was dropped off at Ihube axis on Enugu-Okigwe Expressway by his abductors, the same axis he was kidnapped on Saturday evening.

The provincial secretary of Claratian missionaries, Rev Fr Matthew Iwuagwu, who confirmed the release of the priest, said that the kidnapped victim was dropped off by his captors in Ihube community in the early hours of Monday.

The release of the priest was repeatedly announced on Monday on Ozisa FM, Owerri, a radio station owned by the Owerri Catholic archdiocese.

The Spokesperson of Imo State University, Owerri, Ralph Obinjoku, told our correspondent that the university was glad that the priest had been freed by the gunmen.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, also confirmed the release of the priest when our correspondent contacted him on Monday.

He disclosed that a manhunt for the kidnappers had been launched by the command.

It was reported that the priest was on Saturday evening kidnapped at Ihube axis of Enugu-Owerri Expressway while driving to Owerri from Enugu.

The police in the state had on Sunday disclosed that a witness of the kidnap incident made a statement that the priest was abducted by suspected Fulani herdsmen