THE LATEST UPDATE ON THE CATHOLIC PRIESTS KIDNAPPED AND KILLED Rev. Fr. CYRIACUS ONUNKWO AND THE REV FATHER ONILEKERE SHOT IN IKEJA, LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA.
On September 1, a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Cyriacus Onunkwo from Umuotuasi village in Osina, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, who had returned from Lagos State for the burial of his father, was abducted and his corpse was found in Omumma, Oru East LGA, the following day.
A serving corporal with the Imo State Police Command, Jude Madu, from Umukishi Amuze, Ahiara Mbaise LGA, pointed to be the leader of the five-man kidnap gang. The gang was arrested by the police and had confessed to have abducted and killed the priest.
A week after a Catholic priest named above was killed by kidnappers in Imo State, the parish priest of St Thomas Catholic Church, Onilekere, Ikeja, Lagos, Rev Fr. Daniel Nwankwo, was shot on Friday morning the parish priest is currently taking and responding to treatment.
On the Lagos incident, an eyewitness who identified himself as Valentine Umenweani said that three un known gunmen meet the catholic priest shortly after parishioners left the Friday morning service.
“After the confession session, most of the parishioners left the church premises and there were few persons especially women and children who stayed behind to pray. I believe that they had gone into the church and partook in the morning mass before approaching us.
“I was standing at a corner of the church with the priest when the three of them approached us. They asked to see the parish priest and the priest told them that he was the one.
“They told him that they were sent by a parishioner who is sick to collect N5000 from him. The priest told them that he does not know who they were referring to and cannot grant such request.
“Suddenly the young men who were carrying a bag brought out their guns and started asking the priest to bring out the money or they will kill him.
“He told them that there is no money with him and they started threatening to shoot. The priest handed over his mobile phone to me but they immediately collected it from me and put it in their bag. The priest suggested that they should go to the parish house that he has some money over there but they refused and started beating him.
“While they were dragging him, one of them shot him Although he was hit, the priest miraculously escaped in the confusion while I ran to another direction. They searched for him and when they could not find him, they also started looking for me. Since they do not know much about the church, they took to their heels and scaled the fence of the church and escaped.”
After the incident the Rev father raised an alarm and was russrd to the hospital where he is been treated.
According to the commissioner of police Imohimi Edgal, five suspects have been arrested in connection to the incident. He has also order that steady/ 24 hours police protection should be provided in all churches and mosques across the state. He also assured the inhabitants of Lagos state thaT every asset of the police command will be-deployed in making sure these hoodlums that made an attempt to take away the Rev father's life will be arrested and brought to book.
May God have mercy on the culprits. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, open the hearts and minds of sinners to the truth and light of God the Father. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for the conversion of sinners and of the world! O my Jesus, Divine Physician, heal your servant, Father Daniel, in body, mind, and spirit. Console him with the grace of continuing to trust in Your goodness. Console his flock with the same grace. O my God, have mercy on the soul of your servant, Father Cyriacus, and on his father's soul. Look not on their faults but on their faith in You. In Your mercy remember them and welcome them into your Kingdom. Have mercy on the people of Nigeria! Send Your Holy Spirit to lead them to faith and trust in You, Almighty and Eternal God. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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