It was gathered that the Catholic priest was abducted in Ejemekwuru on Sunday evening while on his way to attend the annual retreat of priests of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese.
The Owerri Catholic Archdiocesan Chancellor and Secretary, Rev. Fr. Patrick Mbarah, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday.
Mbarah, in the statement addressed to Owerri Archdiocese Catholic faithful, said that the priest was heading to the priests’ annual retreat in Owerri when he was abducted at Ejemekwuru on Izombe-Ogbakor road.
He called for prayers for the safe release of the kidnapped priest.
“I am directed to inform you that one of our priests, Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, was kidnapped on the evening of Sunday, March 23.
“Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu is the parish priest of Holy Family Catholic Church, Izombe. The sad incident occurred along Ejemekwuru road in Oguta LGA. He was kidnapped on his way to the Priests’ Annual Retreat.
“We invite all Christ’s faithful and all men and women of goodwill to earnestly pray for the quick and safe release of our priest.
“We commend our brother, Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his abductors,” the statement, entitled: ‘Notification of kidnap and call for prayers’, read in part.
Police launch rescue operation
Meanwhile the Imo Police Command has launched an intensive operation to rescue Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, reportedly kidnapped on Ejemekuru Road in Oguta Local Government Area on Sunday.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Owerri on Monday.
Okoye stated that “an intelligence-driven operation has been launched to apprehend the suspects”.
He urged members of the public to assist in the investigation by providing any relevant information to the nearest police station or via the following emergency lines: 08034773600 and 08158024755.
