Kidnapped Imo Catholic priest regains freedom

Rev Fr Mathias Opara, the Catholic priest kidnapped in Imo last Friday, has regained freedom.

The priest, it was learnt, regained his freedom unhurt on Sunday night.

Recall that after attending the burial rituals for the father of one of his colleagues at Izombe Community in the Oguta LGA, the priest identified as Owu Ujo, was abducted along Ejemekwuru-Ogbaku Road in Oguta and Mbaitoli Local Government Areas of Imo State.

The priest is in charge of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri’s Man of Order and Discipline and was traveling back to Owerri at the time.

A source close to the Archbishop of the archdiocese told our correspondent on Sunday that the priest was released on Sunday night.

He said that the Archbishop personally confirmed it to him that the priest was released by his abductors on Sunday night.

Two weeks ago, the Catholic priest in charge of Christ the King Catholic Church at Ezinachi/Ugwuago in the Okigwe Local Government Area of the state, Jude Maduka, was kidnapped.

Also the Catholic priest in charge of St Paul’s parish in Osu in the Isiala Mbano LGA, Rev Fr. Micheal Asomugha, was kidnapped.