Men of the Imo State Police command have launched a massive hunt for the abductors of the Auxullary Catholic Bishop of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, Bishop Moses Chikwe.
Spokesman of the command, SP Orlando Ikeokwu, said that though the case had not been officially reported to the command, reports from social media had prompted the command to activate its emergency squads to track down the fleeing gunmen.
He said, “Its absolutely true that the bishop was kidnapped. It happened yesterday (Sunday)
“The commissioner of police has activated the command’s quick intervention team (QUIT) and the anti kidnapping unit (AKU), to move into the matter with a view to rescue the Bishop and possibly arrest the hoodlums.”
Armed men had on Sunday kidnapped Chikwe and his driver and took them to unknown destination.
They were taken away along the World Bank – Umuguma road in the evening.
The abductors were said to have later returned the car to Assumpta Cathedral later that same day.
They are yet to make any contact as at thet time of this report.
Chikwe was ordained a priest by by Archbishop Anthony Obinna in 1996.
He was consecrated bishop on December 12th, 2019 and was later appointed as the Auxullary bisop by Pope Francis.
Before his appointment, he was the director of Education of the Archdiocese, and collaborator of the Parish of St. Thomas More.
He was assigned as the Titular See of Flumenzer by Pope Francis
