Anxieties As Another Catholic Priest Kidnapped In Enugu

The parishioners of St Jude’s Catholic Church, in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State are still in palpable tension following the commando-like invasion of their worship center, by gunmen suspected to be Fulani headsmen occupying the forests in the area.

In viral reports, the Parish Priest of St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Eburummiri, Ibagwa-Aka, Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, Rev. Fr. Victor Ishiwu, was in the early hours of Saturday, allegedly kidnapped while officiating adoration prayers.

According to Vanguard, the kidnappers stormed the adoration ground after midnight and started shooting sporadically into the air.

It was further learned that the worshippers, including Fr. Ishiwu, scampered for safety and dispersed to different locations.

However, eyewitness accounts that the kidnappers, who allegedly spoke pidgin English and Fulani languages traced the cleric to the Parish House and threatened to burn church facilities if he refused to come out.

It was further learned that when the cleric refused to heed their warning, the kidnappers allegedly forced themselves into the Parish House through the church chapel which they cut open.

They allegedly whisked the cleric to an unknown destination when they gained access to his hiding place in the Parish House.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Enugu State Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe, said he was yet to receive a detailed report on the incident.

“I am not yet in receipt of a detail report of the incident please,” he said.

Although it is over a day since the ugly incident occurred, the residents including the parishioners of St Jude’s Catholic Church are still gripped by fear of the unknown.

It could be recalled that the worrisome development has long degenerated following of kidnapping in various parts of Enugu and other states across the Southeastern part of Nigeria.