Trending
Gunmen kidnap Imo Catholic priest, Fr Ubaechu
The parish priest of Holy Family Catholic Church in Izombe community in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo state, Rev’d Fr John Ubaechu, has been kidnapped.
The Catholic priest was abducted on Sunday evening along Ejemekwuru Road in the Oguta LGA.
A statement by the secretary, Archdiocesan Chancellor of the Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Rev’d Fr Patrick Mbamah, disclosed that the priest was kidnapped while on his way to the priests annual retreat.
The statement entitled, ” notification of kidnap and call for prayers”, urged all faithful in the Archdiocese and beyond to pray for quick and safe release of the priest.
Rev.Fr. Mbamah, in the press release, stated that he was directed to inform the Catholic community and members of the public that one of their priests, Rev Fr John Ubaechu, was kidnapped in the evening of Sunday, 23 March, 2025.
“Rev Fr John Ubaechu is the parish priest of Holy Family Catholic Church Izombe.
The sad incident occurred along Ejemekwuru Road in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State. He was kidnapped on his way to the priest’s annual retreat.
“We invite all Christ’s faithful and all men and women of goodwill to earnestly pray for the quick and safe release of our priest.
We commend our brother, Rev Fr John Ubaechu to the powerful intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary mother of priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his abductors.” the press release stated.
Reacting to the incident, one of his relatives and parishioner, Benedict Ihejirika, condemned the kidnap of the priest.
He said that the sad news of his abduction came as a shock to the parishioners.
” Yesterday evening kept me restless. Sleep left me through the nights. I joined my family in huge prayers from personal ones to church prayers as a Catholic.
“Our home was thrown into mourning because of the sad news. Since then, series of calls keep tripping in to ascertain the truth of the news,” Ihejirika stated.
He asserted that it bothers him to see men of God who give much in making consecration daily for the salvation of mankind will be treated in such a manner.
“A priest after the order of Melchizedek was taken away just like that. I have wondered how his condition has been all through the night.
“Almighty God, this is your fight. You can’t allow your church to be thrown into pandemonium. When the shepherd is held, the sheep will cry. Our Father and Maker, please, visit the place where our priest has been held, shatter the people holding him and release him to us in good health, Amen.” he prayed.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident as he disclosed that the command had started combining bushes for the rescue of the priest and possibly arrest of the suspects.
Justice Maryam Aliyu Hassan of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting at Gwarimpa in Abuja has ordered that former Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, be kept at Kuje prison till December 18.
Ngige will be on remand till the date when his bail application would be decided by the court.
Justice Hassan issued the order on Monday shortly after taking arguments for and against the bail request of the former governor of Anambra State.
Ngige’s lawyer, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, pleaded with the judge to admit the former minister to bail, mainly on health ground.
He submitted that the former minister would not jump bail or interfere with witnesses if admitted to bail.
However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, represented by Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, vehemently opposed the bail request, insisting that Ngige was a flight risk.
Tahir told the judge that Ngige was granted administrative bail by the EFCC and allowed to travel abroad for medical care but never reported back to the Commission.
Besides, he said that the international passport released to Ngige; to facilitate the abroad trip was never returned till today.
The senior lawyer argued that it was when Ngige was re-arrested that he came up with a purported claim that he lost his passport.
He insisted that the claim of passport loss was an afterthought and should not be believed by the court.
After the submissions, Justice Hassan fixed December 18 to deliver ruling in the bail request.
Ngige was last Friday slammed with an eight-count charge bordering on corrupt practices.
News
Man whose marriage ended after 2 days speaks after his ex-wife claimed he caused it by asking for thr££some.
Bobby denied the allegations made by Uchechi Sandra Nnenne that her family sponsored their wedding which took place on Jan. 4, 2025.
According to Bobby, whom Sandra called Mr B in her story, he spent over N25million on their wedding.
He also denied Sandra’s claims that he kept borrowing money from her.
He sent LIB receipts of some credit alerts he made to Sandra’s account and others made to the accounts of vendors they employed for their wedding.
He also denied requesting thr££some from her. He said he called off the wedding on Jan. 15. He alleged he did this after finding out she was pregnant for another man. He accused her of getting pregnant for her boss. He did not provide evidence to back this allegation.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DSShW11DMnq/?img_index=8&igsh=bDRkNzBsZXV4YXJq
Sandra also didn’t provide evidence to back her allegations. (Check her claims in previous post).
A young woman allegedly gave birth to a baby boy and k!lled the newborn shortly after delivery in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.
The disturbing incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Sunday, December 14, 2025 behind Government Secondary School, Gboko, throwing the community into pandemonium and mourning.
Residents are calling for immediate police intervention to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure justice is served.
Authorities are yet to issue an official statement as of the time of this report.
NIGERIA POLICE FORCE ANNOUNCES RESUMPTION OF ENFORCEMENT OF TINTED GLASS PERMIT
Bianca Ojukwu’s Daughter Joins Her Mother at the ECOWAS Council of Ministers Session in South Africa
BREAKING: Senate President Akpabio Currently Hospitalised In London After Collapse, Misses Key Budget Session – Sources
-
Business1 year ago
US court acquits Air Peace boss, slams Mayfield $4000 fine
-
Trending1 year agoNYA demands release of ‘abducted’ Imo chairman, preaches good governance
-
Politics1 year agoMexico’s new president causes concern just weeks before the US elections
-
Politics1 year agoPutin invites 20 world leaders
-
Politics1 year agoRussia bans imports of agro-products from Kazakhstan after refusal to join BRICS
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky falls ill in police custody, rushed to hospital
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky transferred from Immigration to FCID, spends night behind bars
-
Education1 year ago
GOVERNOR FUBARA APPOINTS COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR KEN SARO-WIWA POLYTECHNIC BORI