The Civil Liberties Organisation has condemned the abduction of the Catholic priest of Onitsha Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Joseph Igweagu of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Abata Nsugbe, Anambra State.
In a statement on Wednesday, the chairman of the organisation, Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, said the body received with disbelief and shock the news of abduction of the priest, who had been missing since October 12, 2022, while returning from vigil funeral mass in Umunnachi, and his whereabouts still unknown.
The group appealed to the abductors to kindly release the priest.
They appealled to the church leaders to order a three-day fasting and prayer session to seek for God’s interventions in numerous security challenges and problems bedeviling the state.
It therefore advised governments at all levels to deploy employments and education in waging war against crimes and criminalities, adding that “with a gun, you can kill a terrorist, but with education and employments you can kill terrorism.”
The statement read, “We received with disbelief and shock the abduction of the Catholic priest since October 12, 2022, while returning from vigil funeral mass in Umunnachi and his whereabouts is still unknown.
“We passionately appeal to the abductors to kindly in the name of God unconditionally release the priest who has taken the oath of poverty, chastity, obedience and humility for God and humanity.
“Let us respect and observe the injunction of God that said, ‘do not touch my anointed or do him any harm’. May our good Lord touch the hearts of the abductors so they will without delay unconditionally release the priest of God, so that he will continue in his ministry of winning souls for Christ.
“We pray for good health, safe and secure condition of our Rev. Fr. Joseph Igweagu and divine conversion of the abductors.”