Nigeria: Gunmen kidnap bishop and driver - UPDATE

Bishop Moses Chikwe

Source: Fides

Unidentified gunmen kidnapped Bishop Moses Chikwe auxiliary bishop of the Catholic archdiocese of Owerri in Imo State southeast Nigeria. He was reportedly kidnapped on Sunday night alongside his driver who has not been named. The bishop's car was later found near the Assumpta Cathedral in Owerri, located in southeastern Nigeria. The kidnapping was confirmed by the Archbishop of the diocese, Mgr Victor Obinna.

A statement signed by the Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Fr Zacharia Nyantiso Samjumi called for prayers for the quick release of Bishop Chikwe.

"So far, there has been no official reports of any correspondence with the kidnappers," said Fr Samjumi. "Trusting in the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we pray for his safety and quick release".

Bishop Chikwe, 53, was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Owerri in October 2019.

In an interview with Vatican News on Tuesday, Archbishop Obinna, said he was receiving messages of solidarity and assurances for prayer from within the Archdiocese and outside the country. The Archbishop said the kidnap was a sign that the Church is not insulated from ordinary people's suffering.

Nigerian police have activated two special teams, the Quick Intervention Team (QUIT) and the Anti Kidnapping Unit (AKU), to locate Bishop Chikwe and arrest his kidnappers.

The kidnapping of Bishop Chikwe took place just a week after the kidnapping of another Catholic religious, Fr Valentine Oluchukwu Ezeagu, who was abducted on December 15 by gunmen, on his way to his father's funeral. He was released on 16 December.

There has been a spate of kidnappings in Nigeria in recent years. Criminals kidnap religious women and priests on the assumption that congregations or dioceses will pay a ransom for their release.

While politicians, wealthy businessmen and women and foreign diplomats travel with armed security and blacked-out car windows, Church personnel and ordinary Nigerians do not have this option.

UPDATE: Nigeria: Kidnapped bishop and driver safely released www.indcatholicnews.com/news/41241