Just In: Catholic Priest Kidnapped In Imo (See)

Rev. Fr. Francis Ugoo Egbebu, the Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Umuola, Amaigbo, Nwangele local council area of Imo State. Has been kidnapped.

Strong feelers from the Catholic Diocese of Orlu, where Rev. Fr. Egbebu is serving, indicated that the ever cheerful priest was last seen driving out of the Parish Monday morning.

Although it was not clear at press time, the exact location where the priest was picked up by the hoodlums, stories making the rounds however indicated that the kidnappers had made an initial contact with close relations of the priest and demanded N5 million ransom.

Vanguard gathered that Rev. Fr. Egbebu, who is the first vicar of the parish, resumed duties on November 2014, when the young parish was created and inaugurated by the Catholic Bishop of Orly Diocese, Most Rev, Dr. Augustine Ukwuoma.

Confirming the kidnap to newsmen, the Parish Council Chairman, Engr. Adolphus Ogbonna, said the parishioners are passing through serious anxiety and sorrow over the senseless abduction of their parish priest.

“We have heard the news of the kidnap of our parish priest. Some people say he was kidnapped around Owerri, while others claim he was kidnapped in our community.