A renowned Catholic Priest, Rev. Father Basil Gbuzue, has been kidnapped in Anambra state by gunmen.
The Catholic priest, who lives in the Onitsha Diocese was said to have been kidnapped along Eke-Nkpor, Obosi, Idemili North local government area on Wednesday, May 15.
A statement issued by the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha chapter confirmed the kidnap of the priest.
The state police command confirmed the incident on Thursday, May 16, in a statement.
When contacted, the police public relations officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, SP, confirmed the incident.
He said the command had mounted surveillance to track down the hoodlums.
He stated: “Anambra Police Command has launched a manhunt for the abductors and possible rescue of Fr. Basil Chukwuemeka which sad incident occurred at Nkpor Junction, Onitsha.
“The Command is already working with some eyewitnesses to the incident in the ongoing operation
“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, while addressing the Catholic priests allayed their fears and assured them that the Command would do everything to rescue the priest unhurt and arrest the abductors.”
The statement by the church, said His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, had called on all Christ’s faithful and people of goodwill to pray for the quick and safe release of the priest.
The Archdiocese said it was also intensifying efforts to secure Fr. Gbuzuo’s freedom, while committing the priest to the “powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his kidnappers.”
The statement signed by the Chancellor of the diocese, Rev. Fr. Prudentius E. Aroh, read in part, “With sadness, we write to inform the general public of the kidnap of one of our priests, Rev. Fr. Basil Gbuzuo.
“The sad incident occurred yesterday morning, Wednesday, 15th May, 2024, along Eke Nkpor-Obosi bypass at about 8 am.
“He is a priest in residence at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, Ogidi. Until now, the abductors have not established any contact with anybody.
“His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian M. Okeke, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, invites all Christ’s faithful and all men and women of goodwill to earnestly pray for the quick and safe release of the priest as we intensify our efforts to ensure his freedom.
“We commend our brother, Fr. Basil, to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his kidnappers.”