Another Catholic priest kidnapped in Imo
![Rev Fr Mathias Opara](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/24C8A894-F40E-4970-888F-C10857947B31.jpeg)
Gunmen on Friday evening, abducted another Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Mathias Opara, in Imo.
Mr Opara was abducted along Ejemekwuru and Ogbaku road between Oguta and Mbaitoli Local Government Areas of the state.
A witness said that the priest was kidnapped while returning from a burial ceremony of a colleague’s father at Izombe community in Oguta Local Government Area.
The source, who pleaded anonymity, said the priest was double-crossed and kidnapped along with some people in the same vehicle while driving back to Owerri.
“The incident happened right before us. We were also coming back to Owerri from the funeral ceremony when the incident occurred,” the source said.
When contacted for confirmation, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, could not confirm the report.
Mr Okoye simply said “I am yet to receive an official report in line with that.”
However, the Director of Public Communications of the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Raymond Ogu, who confirmed the incident, said the priest was ambushed and later kidnapped.
“It was on his way back from Izombe. These guys came out from the bush and ambushed them.
“There were about five people in the vehicle, including the priest, but one small boy among them in the vehicle escaped during the ambush.
“The hoodlums took the priest and the other three passengers away but at some point, they released the other three to take his car but they went away with the priest into the bush,” Mr Ogu said.
Mr Opara’s abduction came barely a week after gunmen kidnapped the priest of Christ the King Parish, Ezinachi/Ugwuago of the Diocese of Okigwe in Okigwe Local Government Area, Rev. Fr. Jude Maduka.
It would be recalled that Mr Maduka was kidnapped while preparing for the Eucharistic Mass celebration at his adoration ground.
A Catholic Priest of St. Paul’s Catholic Parish, Osu, in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area, Rev. Fr. Michael Asumogha, in Okigwe Catholic diocese was equally kidnapped in April and later released.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
![Katsina State](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/1863B29B-AC06-49E0-ADFA-655BBEC3389A.jpeg)
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
![FRSC](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_4941.jpg)
Kano
May 29: FRSC deploys 350 personnel, five ambulances in Kano
Mr Abdullahi said five ambulances, 25 patrol vans, one tow truck and personnel had been deployed at the inauguration venue.
![President Muhammadu Buhari and children](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/C5DCE3F5-752B-43D7-954B-CA2798DFB42C.jpeg)
NationWide
Children’s Day: Treat your children with dignity, Buhari charges parents
The president gave the challenge in a statement by his media aide, Femi Adesina, on Saturday in Abuja to mark 2023 Children’s Day.
![Sudanese Soldiers (Credit:Daily News Egypt)](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/images-2022-06-27T115313.181.jpeg)
Africa
Sudan army calls on ex-soldiers to re-enlist as sporadic fighting persists
Sporadic fighting has continued all week, though the ceasefire monitors Saudi Arabia and the United States said earlier on Friday that compliance was improving.
![Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde (Photo Credit: Twitter)](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Makinde-2.png)
Ibadan
Makinde dissolves management, board of LAUTECH Hospital
The chairman of the transition and inauguration committee, Segun Ogunwuyi, made this known in a statement in Ibadan.
![Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Lagos-State-governor-Babajide-Sanwo-Olu.png)
Lagos
Sanwo-Olu scores self high, says his govt. ran Lagos well
Mr Sanwo-Olu said this during the valedictory cabinet meeting to ceremonially dissolve the cabinet in his first tenure, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Friday night.
![Babajide-Sanwo](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Babajide-Sanwo.png)
Lagos
Lagos to begin enforcement law against road parking
Mr Sanwo-Olu gave the warning at the inauguration of the Jimoh Odutola Road, Surulere and Reeve Road/Onilegbale Road in Ikoyi, Lagos.