The Catholic priest who was kidnapped in Rivers has regained his freedom.

 

Rev. Father Livinus Maurice, two other individuals who were kidnapped four days ago on the Elele-Isiokpo Road in the Ikwere Local Government Area of Rivers State have been released.

On February 12th, Father Maurice, the Parish Priest of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Isokpo, was taken away while returning from a hospital visit with two unidentified individuals.

Bishop Bernadine Anaele demanded the unconditional release of the priest after the abduction by the Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt, which stated on their behalf.

On Sunday, February 16th, the release was confirmed by Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command. She attributed their freedom to the combined efforts of the police, soldiers from the Joint Task Force, and local vigilantes, whose pressure forced the captors to let them go around 6:30 am on Sunday.

The security team, which consisted of policemen, soldiers from the Joint Task Force in Isiokpo, and local vigilantes, pressed for their release and pressured them. The victims have been reunited with their families for medical treatment, and there are still efforts to catch the culprits.

In Onitsha, Anambra State, an abducted Catholic priest named Rev. Fr. Jude Onyeka is also being reported.

On Thursday, an ex-Parish Priest at St. Edmund Catholic Church in Nkpor, Onyeka, was abducted near the Building Materials Section in Ugwunwasike Bypass, Ogidi, Idemili North LGA. The priest who was recently transferred to St. Dominic Catholic Church in Abatete is still missing and has not been contacted by his abductors.

Rev. Fr. Prudentus Aroh, who is the Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, confirms the incident and asks for his safe return. He transmitted a message from Archbishop Valerian M. Okeke, requesting that the faithful seek divine intervention for the priest's liberation.