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Kidnapped Nigerian Catholic Priest Released Unharmed

Fr. Arinze Madu, Vice Rector at Nigeria’s Queen of Apostles Spiritual Year Seminary, Enugu, kidnapped outside seminary gate and released unharmed two days later on Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Two days after the abduction of Fr. Arinze Madu, a Catholic priest of Enugu diocese, Nigeria, his abductors have released him and “he is back in one piece,” ACI Africa has been told about the Wednesday, October 30 freeing of the Vice-Rector of a Nigeria-based seminary.

“We are really grateful to God, he (Fr. Madu) is out of the abductor’s net and is back in one piece,” the Director of Communications of Nigeria’s Enugu diocese, Fr. Benjamin Achi has told ACI Africa Thursday, October 31.

“As a matter of fact, everybody was apprehensive when Fr. Madu was abducted given our recent experiences,” Fr. Achi narrated referencing what seems to be a wave of violence and abductions targeting priests in the West African country.

“We thank God that it didn’t end badly this time even though the trauma doesn’t leave the victim for a long time,” Fr. Achi told ACI Africa.

Fr. Madu who serves as the Vice-Rector at Queen of Apostles Spiritual Year Seminary, Enugu diocese, Nigeria was kidnapped by unknown gunmen as he was driving out of the seminary gate on Monday evening.

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During a telephone interview with ACI Africa, the communications director confirmed the release of Fr. Madu saying, “He came back yesterday afternoon (and) the abductors just sent him back from their hideout.”

On learning of Fr. Madu’s kidnapping, Enugu State Government had promised “that no stone would be left unturned to make sure that he (Fr. Madu) regained his freedom.”

Therefore, the safe release of Fr. Madu has been seen as bringing relief to Enugu State authorities who have sought to increase security measures to prevent further attacks.