Nigeria: Kidnapped bishop and driver safely released

Bishop Moses Chikwe

Source: Vatican News, Owerri Archdiocese

The kidnapped Nigerian Auxiliary Bishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Moses Chikwe and his driver Robert Ndubuisi, have been released.

The Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev Anthony Obinna said: "With gratitude to God, I hereby inform all Christ's Faithful and People of Goodwill everywhere that at about 1pm on 1 January 2021, His Lordship, Most Rev Moses Chikwe and Mr Ndubuisi Robert, his driver, who were abducted in the evening of Sunday the 27 December 2020 were finally released. I personally visited and saw Bishop Chikwe in his residence at about 10.45pm, looking very weak from the traumatic experience. Nevertheless, we continue to thank Almighty God for His goodness to us. At the time of my visit, Mr Ndubuisi Robert, the driver, was unavailable because he had been speedily taken to the hospital for the treatment of a deep cut he received on his hand from the kidnappers."

Pope Francis had appealed for Bishop Chikwe and his driver's release during the Angelus a few hours earlier on 1 January. The Pope called upon the faithful, "to join the Archdiocese of Owerri's prayer in Nigeria for Bishop Moses Chikwe and his driver.. We ask the Lord that they and all those who are victims of similar acts in Nigeria may return unharmed to freedom and that that dear country may regain security, concord and peace."

Archbishop Obinna thanked Pope Francis for the appeal.

Earlier in the week, there was heightened concern and alarm for the well-being of Bishop Chikwe and his driver when a fake news post spoke of the discovery of the body of Bishop Chikwe. The Archdiocese of Owerri was forced to quickly reassure the faithful that, "This information is unconfirmed, misleading and does not come from the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri".

Archbishop Obinna has thanked the Imo and Anambra State Governments in Nigeria, together with their security wings for their efforts to secure the release of Bishop Chikwe and his driver. He said: "I gratefully acknowledge that the Imo State Government through the Directorate of Security Services and the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Nigeria Police Force and the Anambra State Government through the Chief Security Office of the State combined their efforts to attain the release of Bishop Chikwe and Mr Ndubuisi Robert, his driver."

A spokesperson of the State Police Command, Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed that the Bishop and his driver were released unharmed and without any ransom paid, thanks to the police operation in Imo State.