AFRICA/NIGERIA - Diocese of Umuahia: Catholic priest kidnapped

Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - Another Catholic priest has been kidnapped in Nigeria, Father Christopher Ogide, associate Pastor at Maria Assumpta Parish of Umuopara, diocese of Umuahia, in the state of Abia, in southern Nigeria.
A statement issued by the diocesan chancellor, Rev. Henry Maduka, said the kidnapping took place on December 17 at the front gate of the parish hall and that Rev. Ogide was allegedly on his way to refuel at a nearby petrol station.
The news of the priest's kidnapping comes just after the release of Father Abraham Kunat, kidnapped on November 8, in St. Mulumba, Kurmin Sara, in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria (see Fides, 9/11/2022).
Fr. Kunat is the parish priest of the church of St Bernard in Idon Gida, but due to the insecure situation in the region he lives in the parish of St. Mulumba, where he was kidnapped.
Kidnappings occur in almost all parts of Nigeria, from north to south, and not only priests are affected. In Abia state, where Father Ogide was kidnapped, the police anti-kidnapping unit
dismantled two cross-border kidnapping gangs, killing four of their members and freeing two women held for ransom. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 20/12/2022)

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