The Catholic Church of Onitsha Archdiocese, Anambra State, has sought prayers for the release of their priest abducted by gunmen.

Rev. Fr. Joseph Igweagu, the priest in charge of St. Joseph’s Parish Abata Nsugbe, was abducted last Wednesday in Umunnachi, a community in Njikoka Local Government Area of the state.

The chancellor of the archdiocese, Emeka Aroh, said in a statement that Igweagu was abducted while he was returning to his house after holding a funeral vigil mass in the community.

He solicited “sincere prayers” from the Catholic faithful for the release of the cleric.

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The statement was,  however, silent on whether his abductors had called to demand ransom or not.

The statement read: “It is with shock but strong faith in the love and protection of God that we announce to the priests, religious, lay faithful of Onitsha Archdiocese and all men and women of goodwill, the abduction of our Priest, Rev. Fr. Joseph Igweagu, the Parish Priest of St Joseph Parish, Abata Nsugbe.

“We solicit sincere prayers for his unconditional release from the hands of his abductors. The Archdiocese of Onitsha is doing everything possible to secure his freedom.”

Police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said he was unaware of the abduction.