Fr. Igweagu, a Parish Priest in charge of St Joseph’s Parish Abata Nsugbe, Anambra East Local Government Area of the state was abducted on Wednesday, October 12, while returning to his house after celebrating a Funeral Vigil Mass at Umunnachi in Njikoka Council area, according to the church.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Anambra State, has announced the kidnap of his priest, Rev. Fr. Joseph Igweagu.
Fr. Igweagu, a Parish Priest in charge of St Joseph’s Parish Abata Nsugbe, Anambra East Local Government Area of the state was abducted on Wednesday, October 12, while returning to his house after celebrating a Funeral Vigil Mass at Umunnachi in Njikoka Council area, according to the church.
In a statement the church issued on Monday, titled: "An urgent call for sincere prayer -Re Kidnap of Rev. Fr Joseph Igweagu," which was signed by the Archdiocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Prudentius Aroh, the church called on all Catholic faithful to pray for his safe return.
The statement read, “It is with shock but strong faith in the love and protection of God that we announce to the Priests, religious, lay faithfuls of Onitsha Archdiocese and all men and women of goodwill, the abduction of our Priest Rev. Fr. Joseph Igweagu, the Parish Priest of St Joseph Parish Abata Nsugbe.
“Rev. Fr. Joseph was kidnapped while returning to his house after celebrating a funeral Vigil Mass at Umunnachi on Wednesday evening 12th October 2022. We solicit for sincere prayer for his unconditional release from the hands of his abductors. The Archdiocese of Onitsha is doing everything possible to secure his freedom.
“While pray for the conversion of his abductors, we call on our Mother Mary, the undoer of knots, to intercede on his behalf so that he will be quickly released unhurt.”
Meanwhile, efforts to speak with the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, on what the command was doing to rescue the priest were unsuccessful as he did not answer his calls.