NEWS BRIEFING: Gunmen abduct Nigerian priest and parishioner

Unidentified armed men kidnapped a Catholic priest and another individual Sunday (16th June) morning after Mass in Ekwulobia Diocese, south-east Nigeria.

The extremists seized parish priest Father Christian Ike and parishioner Mr Ogbonnia Aneke at 9:45am at an outstation of St Matthew’s Parish in Ajalli, Anambra State, according to a statement seen by Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

Father Lawrence Nwankwo, chancellor at Ekwulobia Diocese wrote in the statement: “We implore the maternal intercession of Our Mother of Perpetual Help for their release.”

The diocese has not released any details about the abductors’ identity.

Father Ike is the seventh priest kidnapped in Nigeria and the second captured in Anambra State so far this year.