Insecurity is heightening in Anambra State as a renowned Catholic Priest, Reverend Father Basil Gbusuo, has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen.
This is just as the Oye Uga-Amesi-Umuchu-Umunze road has become the new flashpoint of abduction for ransom in the State.
The Catholic priest, who lives in the Onitsha Diocese was said to have been kidnapped along Eke-Nkpor-Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area (LGA) on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
Chancellor of the Onitsha Archdiocesan Secretariat, Reverend Father Prudentius E. Aroh, said in a statement: “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”.
“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.”
The Anambra State Police Command also confirmed the kidnap incident on Thursday, May 16.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the State, Ikenga Tochukwu, however said that the Command had mounted surveillance to track down the gunmen.
According to him, “Anambra Police Command has launched a manhunt for the abductors and possible rescue of Fr. Basil Chukwuemeka which sad incident occurred at Nkpor Junction, Onitsha.
“The Command is already working with some eyewitnesses to the incident in the ongoing operation
“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, while addressing the Catholic priests allayed their fears and assured them that the Command would do everything to rescue the priest unhurt and arrest the abductors.”
On the Oye Uga-Amesi-Umuchu-Umunze, which is the same LGA with Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, a source noted: “We can authoritatively confirm that the spate of kidnap at the above mentioned Anambra State road/route is on an alarming increase.
“On 14-5-2024, some unfortunate civilians were kidnapped at Oye Uga with terrific gunshots around the area down to Oye Achina market.
Then, on 15-5-2024, another worrisome kidnap was witnessed at Oye Uga where a man was captured alongside his car while they dropped the one they came with.
“Escape route has always remained Amesi-Umuchu-Umunze road. Life is becoming scary for inhabitants of the area and commuters.
“As at the time of this report, there is no meaningful federal/state security presence at these flashpoint spots.”