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Gunmen kidnap Imo Catholic priest, Fr Ubaechu

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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.

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MOTORISTS AMBUSHED AND ABDUCTED IN NGOR-OKPALA: IMO POLICE LAUNCH MASSIVE COUNTER-OPERATION

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By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
8-DEC-2025

A disturbing incident unfolded in Amala Autonomous Community, Ngor-Okpala LGA, on December 7, 2025, when armed assailants stormed the roadway, opened fire on a Toyota Highlander, and forcefully whisked away the occupants of a Lexus RS300.

The attackers were said to have emerged suddenly from a nearby bush path, shooting the driver of the Highlander—who was later confirmed dead at the hospital—before escaping with their abducted victims.

Following the attack, the Imo State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police CP Aboki Danjuma, immediately intensified security operations across the area.

Officers from the Ngor-Okpala Division swiftly cordoned off the scene, evacuated the injured driver, and initiated a coordinated manhunt alongside other security agencies and local vigilante outfits.

A wide-ranging search-and-rescue mission is now underway, with joint operatives combing the Amala forest corridor and tracking potential suspects. Investigators report that early progress has been made, and efforts to rescue the kidnapped individuals are continuing with renewed momentum.

The Imo State Police Command has reassured the public that all available resources are being deployed to crack down on the perpetrators and prevent similar incidents. Residents have been urged to remain calm and share any useful information with the nearest police station or through the dedicated emergency line: 0803 477 3600.

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SEE VIDEO: MIDNIGHT CARNAGE IN LILU: GUNMEN RAZE ANGLICAN CHURCH, KILL PRIEST’S WIFE AND ONE OTHER

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By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
8- DEC- 2025

The quiet community of Lilu in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State was thrown into mourning on Sunday after armed assailants launched a devastating midnight attack on St. Andrews Anglican Church, leaving two people dead—including the wife of the resident priest—and destroying several buildings within the church premises.

The attackers reportedly stormed the church compound in the early hours of the morning, firing sporadically and setting fire to multiple structures. The assault came just as some early worshippers were preparing for the day’s service. Witnesses said the gunmen moved with brutal precision, torching vehicles, the priest’s residence, and other facilities as frightened residents fled for safety.

By Monday morning, when journalists arrived to assess the destruction, what was once a vibrant centre of worship had been reduced to ruins. Charred vehicles, shattered roofs, burnt personal items, and lingering smoke told the story of a night filled with terror. The church compound, normally bustling with worshippers, stood eerily quiet—its silence a stark reminder of the violence that occurred.

One eyewitness, still visibly shaken, recounted the chaos:
“They came in shooting everywhere. Everything was burning—cars, buildings, even the priest’s house. The priest’s wife and one other person were killed. Many were injured. It was like something from a nightmare.”

Residents expressed deep concern over the severity of the attack and lamented the lack of nationwide attention to what they described as a direct assault on their community and faith.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command confirmed the tragic incident. Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga said Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, had strongly condemned the violence, calling it “utterly wicked and intolerable.” He noted that the CP has ordered intensified intelligence operations, strengthened joint security deployment, and enhanced surveillance across the area to prevent further occurrences.

Ikenga extended condolences on behalf of the Command to the bereaved families and the entire Lilu community. He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with ongoing investigations as security agencies move to track down the perpetrators.

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Imo Govt shuts hotel, mortuary over alleged kidnapping, organ-harvest

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Imo State government has shutdown a hotel and a mortuary allegedly used for kidnapping and the harvesting of human organs.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Okoye Henry, disclosed this in a statement shared via X handle on Sunday.

Henry said the operation was based on credible intelligence regarding a suspected criminal, Stanley Morocco Oparaugo, who remains at large.

According to the command, the action formed part of an ongoing crackdown on kidnapping and violent crimes along the Owerri–Aba Expressway, led by the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, in collaboration with other security stakeholders.

“A hotel and a private mortuary owned by the suspect, allegedly used by kidnappers and violent criminals, were inspected.

“At the mortuary, decomposed and mutilated corpses were discovered in unhygienic conditions, raising suspicions of illegal organ-harvesting activities.

“Following these discoveries, both the hotel and mortuary were sealed on the directive of the State Government.

“The suspect’s residence was also searched, and crucial exhibits were recovered,” he said.

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