Kidnappers of Rev Fr John Ubaechu, the Parish Priest of Holy Family Catholic Church, Izombe, Imo State, are demanding N20 million as ransom for the release of the clergyman.
Ubaechu was abducted in Ejemekwuru on Sunday evening while on his way to attend the annual retreat of priests of the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, Imo.
His abduction was confirmed by the Owerri Catholic Archdiocesan Chancellor and Secretary, Rev Fr Patrick Mbarah on Monday in Owerri, in a statement.
A source from the church, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on condition of anonymity, on Wednesday in Owerri, said the kidnappers had contacted some persons through whom they first demanded N50 million, before they reduced the amount.
“Most parishioners have been extremely worried about the safety of the priest since Fr John was kidnapped and his abductors are still keeping him up to today being Wednesday,’’ he said.
The source said, though there were conflicting reports on the kidnappers’ demand, nobody is sure if the demand is actually coming from the abductors.
“Some people are saying that the kidnappers are demanding N50 million, some N20 million and some N10 million, the fact remains that Fr. John is still with the kidnappers, we keep praying for his safe release.
He also pleaded with the state government and security agencies to intervene and help rescue the priest, because he is a missionary who does not have anything yielding money for him,’’ he said.
Another parishioner, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, noted with regret that the abductor forced the priest to remove his cassock, forcing him out of his official vehicle before taking him away.
“We got information that the kidnappers forced our priest to remove his white cassock and took him out of his vehicle before they went off.
“Naval personnel at Izombe later recovered the vehicle,’’ he said.
He, however, appealed to the abductor to have a change of heart and release the priest.
Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested three people over the death of a commercial sex worker at a brothel in Akure.
One of the suspects had sought the services of the deceased but demanded a refund of his N15,000 following the alleged failure of the sex worker to satisfy his desire.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, the incident occurred at the weekend in a popular brothel in the Cathedral area of Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Ayanlade stated that during a sexual activity with one of the suspects, the sex worker complained of tiredness, which infuriated the customer. This then escalated into a heated altercation between the manager of the brothel, the deceased, and the suspect, as well as friends he had invited to help retrieve the money initially paid for the services.
The police spokesperson said: “At approximately 10 am on June 29, the manager of the brothel reported to the station under the jurisdiction of A Division that there had been a violent altercation between a sex worker and a male customer earlier that morning. The disagreement began when the sex worker reportedly complained of sudden weakness during an encounter and could no longer continue providing the agreed services.
“The police acted swiftly and professionally; while the victim was being rushed to a nearby hospital in the Lafe area, officers at the scene simultaneously effected the arrest of three suspects involved in the incident. The victim was later referred to the Police Hospital in Akure but was, unfortunately, declared dead on arrival by a medical officer. Her body has since been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital morgue for autopsy.”
Four persons have been confirmed dead following a fatal accident that occured at Amorji community, Isiala Ngwa North LGA of Abia State along the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway on Saturday.
The accident, which involved a Truck conveying goods to Umuahia, happened at about 5:00 am, leaving eight passengers seriously wounded.
Some reports claimed that the accident was caused by brake failure, while another villager opined that it may have been caused by poor visibility on the part of the driver.
Personnel of the Abia State Emergency Medical Service, EMS, who arrived at the scene of the accident soon after they were alerted by community members, evacuated the victims to the hospital with their ambulance.
Confirming the sad development to DAILY POST on Sunday, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Abia State Command, Ngozi Ezeoma said that the accident involved eleven male passengers and one female.
Ezeoma explained that four of the dead victims were male, while eight other passengers, seven male and one female, were injured and are receiving treatment in the hospital.
The Imo State Police Command has rescued 12 under-aged children suspected to have been trafficked from Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State to Aba in Abia State for street begging.
The operation, which took place along the Owerri-Aba Expressway on June 20, 2025, was carried out by operatives during a stop-and-search mission, according to a statement issued on Sunday evening by the police spokesperson, Henry Okoye.
Okoye disclosed that the officers arrested a 42-year-old woman, Ann Ngozi Enyenwa, from Umudim, Ohakelem in Ngor-Okpala LGA, in connection with the incident.
“The Imo State Police Command, through an intelligence-led stop-and-search operation, has arrested one Ann Ngozi Enyenwa, 42 years old, of Umudim Ohekelem in Ngor-Okpala LGA, and rescued twelve suspected stolen children on 20th June 2025 along the Owerri-Aba Express Road,” the statement read.
“This arrest led to the uncovering of a disturbing child trafficking network that exploited minors for street begging in Aba, Abia State.
“Upon her arrest, the suspect was found with several children whose appearance and condition immediately aroused suspicion. Consequently, the case was referred to the IGP X-Squad Unit for discreet investigation.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to trafficking children from Ngor-Okpala LGA to Aba, where they were coerced into street begging. She further disclosed that proceeds from their activities were allegedly sent to Shalom Motherless Babies Home in Okenyi, Eche LGA, Rivers State, where she claimed to be employed,” Okoye added.
The rescued children were identified as Chinyere Nnaralaeze, 10; Favour Madufor, 13; Ugochi Pius, 13; Ifeanyi Pius, 9; and Favour Timothy, 10. Others include Solomon Ihechi Chinuike, 7; Chinaza Madufor, 10; Nneoma Timothy, 9; Promise Maduenyenwa, 5; Gospel Chibuike, 9; Chinedu Maduenyiwa, 11; and Chinonso Paul, 10. All are from various communities in Ngor-Okpala LGA.
Okoye noted that the children are currently in the custody of the command and undergoing the process of identification, in collaboration with relevant agencies, to facilitate their reunion with parents and guardians.
He urged members of the public who may know the rescued children or their families to contact the X-Squad via 0803 477 3600 or 0816 008 7155.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Aboki Danjuma, condemned the act and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of children in the state.
He assured the public that investigations were ongoing, with the promise that the outcome would be made known in due course.
