Gunmen Kidnap Catholic Church Priest, Two Others In Rivers State

A Catholic priest identified as Rev. Fr. Livinus Maurice, and two others, have been kidnapped by some yet-to-be-identified gunmen in Rivers State.

Maurice, who serves as the Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Isokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, was said to have been kidnapped on Wednesday while returning from a hospital visit along the Elele-Isiokpo Road.

The Catholic Diocese of Port-Harcourt confirmed the incident in a statement signed by its Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Bernadine Anaele.

The diocese called on the faithful to pray for the safe and unconditional release of the priest and his companions.

“Although the matter has been reported to the security agencies, Christ’s faithful of Port Harcourt Diocese and Nigeria at large have been urged to intensify prayers for the safe and unconditional release of the priest and those with him,” part of the statement read.

Also, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the incident, said that security forces are actively investigating the case.

“The command is aware of the incident, and we are making frantic efforts to ensure the priest is released unhurt along with the two others,” she said.

Iringe-Koko assured that law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to secure the victims' release and bring the perpetrators to justice.