Catholic priest kidnapped, killed in Imo

A Catholic priest in Imo State, Rev . Fr. Cyriacus Onunkwo, has been killed after he was abducted by some gunmen in Orlu area of the State last Friday.

According to Punch, Onunkwo was kidnapped while driving Friday and was taken to Omumma, in the Oru East Local Government Area of the state.

His lifeless body was found on Saturday.

A member of the priest’s family told the newspaper that he was returning home to organise the funeral of his father when he was kidnapped at gunpoint.

He said, “The priest, Rev. Fr. Cyriacus Onunkwo, who hailed from Osina, in the Ideato North LGA, and worked in Orlu diocese, was on a mission. He came home to prepare for the burial of his father, who died last week.

“Some kidnappers abducted him at Nkwito Junction, Amaifeke Orlu, at about 7 pm on September 1, 2017.

“The priest died in their custody and his father is still in a mortuary. People are no more afraid of God.”

Confirming the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, described it as “worrisome.”

The CP added that “The command’s State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department has taken over the matter.”