AFRICA/NIGERIA - Another Catholic priest kidnapped

Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - Another priest has been kidnapped in Nigeria. Father Christian Ike, parish priest of St. Matthew's church in Ajalli (Orumba North Local Government Area in the southern state of Anambra), was kidnapped along with another person on the morning of June 16.
This was announced by the Diocese of Ekwulobia in a statement. "Dear brothers and sisters, please pray for the release of Father Christian Ike and Mr. Ogbonnia Aneke, who were kidnapped this morning at around 9.45 am while returning from mass in the suburbs of St. Matthew's parish in Ajalli," reads a statement issued by the Chancellor of the Diocese, Father Lawrence Nwankwo, on June 16. According to the police reconstruction, based on the account of an eyewitness, the priest and some other people were returning from St. Michael's Church where they had celebrated morning mass. "When they arrived at the junction of Amagu, their vehicle was stopped by armed men who came in three vehicles. While two people managed to escape, the attackers took the priest and another person and also stole some personal belongings of the vehicle's occupants."
In May, at least two other priests were kidnapped in Nigeria and released after a few days (see Fides, 31/5/2024), while in June, in Kaduna State, Fr. Gabriel Ukeh was kidnapped and released (see Fides, 11/6/2024).
The diocese of Ekwulobia, where Father Christian Ike lives and works, is headed by Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 18/6/2024)

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