Nigeria’s Catholic Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Michael Kalu Ukpong, has called on the faithful of the Diocese to be prayerful and remain calm following the abduction of one of the priests of the Diocese, Fr. Christopher Ogide.

In a statement that diocesan officials shared with Vatican News, the Diocesan Chancellor, Fr. Henry Maduka, said the Associate Pastor at Maria Assumpta Parish, Umuopara, was abducted at the gate of the parish house as he was about to drive out to buy fuel.

Endless abductions

According to Bishop Ukpong, the kidnappers had not yet established contact with the diocese. The Bishop nonetheless urged the Catholic faithful to pray for the release and safe return of Fr. Ogide. Concern for one’s personal security in Nigeria has become a major concern.

The proliferation of armed groups motivated by religious reasons, bandits and unidentified armed groups are often mentioned for the rising attacks. Lucrative ransom money is also fuelling what has essentially become a kidnapping industry in Nigeria.