Ebonyi Police and the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria, have confirmed the release of kidnapped priest, Reverend Father Joseph Azubuike.
In a statement signed by the Chancellor of the Abakaliki Catholic Diocese, Reverend Father Mathew Opoke, late Tuesday, the church said the Reverend Father, as well as the other three abductees, were released unconditionally.
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“We are grateful to God for effecting this release”, Opoke said in the statement.
Confirming the release, the Ebonyi State Command Police Spokesperson, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, explains that the abducted cleric was released at about 6 pm Tuesday, as a result of the concerted efforts of the Operatives of the Command.
She notes that a serious manhunt is on for the perpetrators who escaped during the rescue mission.
The Abakaliki Catholic Diocese had earlier announced that Reverend Father Azubuike, the parish priest of St. Charles Parish, Mgbaleze Isu, in Onicha Local Government Area, alongside three other persons, were abducted by gunmen while returning from pastoral duties on Monday.
Editor : Ena Agbanoma
