The Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian M. Okeke has announced the kidnapping of one of his priests, Rev. Fr. Basil Gbuzuo.
According to a statement issued by the Chancellor of the Archdiocese, the incident occurred in the morning of Wednesday, May 15 along the Eke Nkpor-Obosi bypass.
Rev. Fr. Basil Gbuzuo, a priest in residence at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, Ogidi, was reportedly taken captive around 8 a.m. on Wednesday, 15th May, 2024. As the hours pass without any communication from the abductors, concerns for his safety escalate.
“With sadness, we write to inform the general public of the kidnap of one of our priests, Rev. Fr. Basil Gbuzuo. The sad incident occurred yesterday morning, Wednesday, 15th May, 2024 along Eke Nkpor-Obosi bypass about 8am. He is a priest in residence at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, Ogidi. Until now, the abductors have not established any contact with anybody,” the statement said.
Following the development, Archbishop Okeke has issued a plea to all Christ’s faithful and people of goodwill, urging them to join in prayer for the swift and safe release of Rev. Fr. Basil.
“His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian M. Okeke, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, invites all Christ’s faithful and all men and women of goodwill to earnestly pray for the quick and safe release of the priest as we intensify our
efforts to ensure his freedom. We commend our brother, Fr. Basil, to the powerful intercession of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his kidnappers,” the statement added.
