Biafra: Catholic Priest, Catechist whisked away, freed in Anambra

The Parish Priest of St. Edmund Catholic Church, Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, where about 25 members of IPOB and MASSOB were believed to have lost their lives in the hands of soldiers who invaded the Church were believed to have been whisked away by soldiers from 302 Artillery Regiment in the wee hours of Wednesday morning and later released by the soldiers.

Residents of the area said there was sporadic gunshots at the area which caused panic among residents when the soldiers allegedly arrived.

According to a parishioner in the Church who did not want his name on print, the soldiers were said to have whisked away the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. David Ojukwu, alongside the Catechist of the parish whose identity could not be ascertained at the time of filling this report.

However, the Reverend Father and the Catechist were reportedly released after undergoing “briefing” at the military cantonment in Onitsha.

When reporters arrived the Parish yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, and sought to have a chat with the Parish Priest, the security men at the gate excused to invite the Catechist to talk to the press while the Church gate was still under lock and key.

The Catechist on arrival declined to speak to the press on the issue, but only uttered that nobody from the parish was taken away by soldiers.

In a phone chat with our correspondent, the Publicity Secretary to Archbishop Valerian Okeke, Rev. Fr. Benji Ogbunuko said he was not aware of any further development at St. Edmund Catholic Church, Nkpor.

All attempt made to contact the Commander, 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, proved abortive as he was said to be in a security meeting with the Anambra State government.