Gunmen kidnap Imo Catholic priest

A priest with the Okigwe Catholic Diocese in Imo State, Rev. Fr. Jude Maduka, has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

The priest was abducted on Friday, May 19, while preparing for Sunday’s Eucharistic Mass celebration.

A statement issued by the Catholic Diocese of Okigwe confirmed the abduction of Maduka, who is the Parish Priest of Christ the King Parish, Ezinnachi/Ugwaku, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.

He was kidnapped at the New Adoration site in Ogii village.

The Imo State Police Command is yet to comment on the development.

Kidnapping and terrorism have been major concerns under President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, a situation which led to senior clerics meeting the President for a lasting solution to the menace.

The Buhari administration has been rated low on security, despite billions of naira spent to curb insecurity.