Gunmen have abducted a Catholic Priest attached to Port Harcourt Diocese, Rev. Father Livinus Maurice, along with two others.
Maurice is the Parish Priest of St Patrick’s Catholic in Isokpo, the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The identities of the two others abducted alongside the priest could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report on Saturday afternoon.
The priest was reportedly abducted while returning from a hospital visitation along the Elele-Isiokpo Road in Ikwere LG of the state on Wednesday.
According to a statement issued in Port Harcourt and signed by the Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt on behalf of the Bishop by the Chancellor, Reverend Father Bernadine Anaele, the incident took place on Wednesday, 12 February.
The statement partly read, ‘Although the matter has been reported to the security agencies, Christ 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.’
When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, saying an investigation is ongoing to ensure their release and the arrest of the culprits.
She stated, ‘Yes the command is aware of the incident and we are making frantic efforts to ensure the protest is released unhurt and the two others.
‘Also the command has alerted all tactical units to ensure the suspects are apprehended and made to face the law.’
