Catholic Priest Abducted from Owerri in Nigeria Regains Freedom, Chancellor Appreciates “fraternal solidarity, prayers”

Insecurity is rife in Nigeria, where kidnappings, murder, and other forms of persecution against Christians remain rampant in many parts of the West African country, especially in the north.

On March 5, Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan was murdered, a day after his abduction.

The latest release of Fr. Ubaechu follows a series of other kidnappings that have targeted Catholic Priests in Africa’s most populous nation.

On February 6, Fr. Cornelius Manzak Damulak, a member of the Clergy of the Catholic Diocese of Shendam and student at Veritas University Abuja in the West African nation, was abducted and later escaped from captivity. 

On February 19, Fr. Moses Gyang Jah of St. Mary Maijuju Parish of Shendam Diocese was abducted alongside his niece and the Parish Council Chairman, Mr. Nyam Ajiji. The Parish Council Chairman was reportedly killed. Fr. Jah and his niece are yet to be freed.

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On February 22, Fr. Matthew David Dutsemi and Fr. Abraham Saummam were abducted from the Catholic Diocese of Yola. They were later released.

And the Seminarian abducted on March 3 from a Parish Rectory in Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Auchi alongside Fr. Philip Ekweli was murdered by his abductors. Fr. Ekweli was set free.

The West African nation has been experiencing insecurity since 2009, when Boko Haram insurgency began with the aim of turning the country into an Islamic state. Catholic Bishops in the country have continually challenged the government to prioritize the security of the citizens.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.