Popular Anambra State Catholic priest Reverend Father Basil Gbuzuo has been abducted by as-yet-unidentified gunmen in the Onitsha Diocese.

A May 16, 2024 press release from the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha revealed the news of the priest’s kidnapping.

The event happened along the Eke Nkpor-Obosi bypass on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at around eight in the morning, according to the statement.

The statement went on to say that all of Christ’s followers and well-wishers were urged to pray for the priest’s swift and safe release by His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha.

Along with pledging the priest to the “powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his kidnappers,” the Archdiocese announced that it was stepping up efforts to ensure Fr. Gbuzuo’s liberation.

A portion of the statement, which was signed by the Diocese’s Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Prudentius E. Aroh, said, “With sadness, we write to inform the general public of the kidnap of one of our priests, Rev. Fr. Basil Gbuzuo.

“The sad incident occurred yesterday morning, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, along Eke Nkpor-Obosi bypass, about 8am.

“He is a priest in residence at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, Ogidi. Until now, the abductors have not established any contact with anyone.

“His Grace, Most Rev Valerian M. Okeke, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, invites all Christ’s faithful and all men and women of goodwill to earnestly pray for the quick and safe release of the priest as we intensify our efforts to ensure his freedom.

“We commend our brother, Fr Basil, to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his kidnappers.”

Read also: Hamas: US military starts delivering aid to Gaza

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Tochukwu Ikenga, responded to the news in a statement on Thursday night, stating that the police had begun a manhunt for the priest’s kidnappers.

According to the PPRO’s statement, “Anambra Police Command has launched a manhunt for the abductors and possible rescue of Fr Basil Chukwuemeka, which sad incident occurred at Nkpor Junction, Onitsha.

“The Command is already working with some eyewitnesses to the incident in the ongoing operation

“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, while addressing the Catholic priests, allayed their fears and assured them that the Command would do everything to rescue the priest unhurt and arrest the abductors.”

Major General Richard Duru’s (rtd) suspected killers have been identified by the Imo State Police Command.

Additionally, the police agents found 552 live ammunition rounds.

On behalf of Commissioner of Police CP Aboki Danjuma, Police Public Relations Officer ASP Henry Okoye briefed journalists at the Police Headquarters in Owerri.

He said that the men and officers of the command’s proactive operational strategies in the fight against violent crimes and other related offenses in the state were the reason behind the arrest’s successful outcome.

He claimed that one of the major achievements of the command was the capture of the assassins of Major General Richard Duru, Rtd.

It was rumored that Duru was abducted in his black Mercedes along Bishops Court, Area 7, Orji/Uratta Owerri, and that he was killed after his family demanded a $50,000 ransom.

Read also: Your ₦48000 Minimum Wage Is For Almajiris – Shehu Sani Blasts Tinubu’s Govt.

He also said that the gang leader and other terror group members were apprehended after a persistent intelligence gathering operation by the command’s anti-kidnapping unit agents, which resulted in the arrest of the general’s killers.

One of the suspects, Chukwunonso Emmanuel, from Idemili North LGA, Anambra State, was detained in Lagos while attempting to get a new license plate for the general’s Mercedes Benz vehicle, according to the police public relations officer.

He went on to say that after his detention, Okoroigwe Goodness and Innocent Ogu—the other two gang members—were apprehended and admitted to the crime.

According to Okoye, in the last two months, the command has made great progress in combating crime and criminality in the state.

As a result, 435 suspects have been arrested for a variety of crimes, including terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, advance fee fraud, cult activities, and stealing and receiving stolen property.

The US military has started supplying Gaza with humanitarian products.

According to CNN, rucks bringing relief supplies into Gaza have started to make their way ashore after passing via the makeshift pier the US military constructed.

The pier, which was anchored to a beach in Gaza on Thursday, is said to be used to direct aid from other nations into the besieged strip, where a severe humanitarian crisis is engulfing the area and all other border crossings are closed.

Read also: Seven APC Candidates Support Aiyedatiwa in Ondo Governor Race

The US has stressed that the $320 million pier is a temporary solution that is “entirely humanitarian in nature and will involve aid commodities donated by some countries and humanitarian organizations.” Construction on the pier started in late April.

According to a statement from the US Central Command, or CENTCOM, no US forces touched down in Gaza.

Foreign aid initially lands in Cyprus, then is transferred by ship to a floating platform close to Gaza’s coast, where it is unloaded onto trucks and distributed on land.