Police hunt abductors of Imo Catholic priest

The Imo State Police Command has begun investigations to secure the release of a Catholic Priest, Rev Fr John Ubaechu, kidnapped by unknown persons on Sunday evening.

Further, the police announced a manhunt for the masterminds behind the kidnap of the priest along Ejemekwuru Road in the Oguta Local Government Area of the state.

The spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, confirmed the kidnap incident in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday, saying an investigation had commenced.

According to him, the police command had initiated an investigation for the abductors of the priest, saying an intelligence-driven operation had commenced.

The statement read, “The Imo State Police Command has launched a comprehensive investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible for the abduction of Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu along Ejemekuru Road in Oguta Local Government Area on Sunday, March 23, 2025.

“An intelligence-driven operation is also underway to facilitate the possible rescue of the Catholic priest.

“The command urges the public to assist in the investigation by providing any relevant information. Such information can be reported to the nearest police station or communicated via the emergency lines at 0803 477 3600 or 0815 802 4755.”

The Owerri Catholic Archdiocesan Chancellor/Secretary, Rev Fr Patrick Mbarah, had on Monday morning announced the kidnap of Fr Ubaechu on Sunday by yet-to-be-identified people.

Ubaechu, the Parish Priest of Holy Family Catholic Church Izombe, in the Oguta Local Government Area of the state, was kidnapped along  Ejemekwuru road in Oguta, on his way to attend the Priests Annual Retreat last Sunday.

According to the Chancellor of the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, Mbarah, the kidnap of Ubaechu occurred along the Ejemekwuru road in Oguta.

The notice read, “Notification of kidnap and call for prayers. I am directed to inform you that one of our priests, Rev Fr John Ubaechu, was kidnapped on the evening of Sunday, March 23, 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. He was kidnapped on his way to the Priests’ 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.”