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.”

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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.

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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.

Tunmise Aluko was found guilty of cybercrime on Thursday and given a one-year prison sentence by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Nonetheless, the criminal was offered the choice of a N300,000 fine and 100 hours of community service by the court.

The accused was accused of impersonating someone and making false statements.

His plea of guilty was accepted.

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After he entered his plea, the prosecution, led by Mrs. Chineye Okezie, went over the case’s facts and submitted evidence that the judge accepted.

Then, in light of the defendant’s plea and the presented evidence, she pleaded with the court to proceed and find him guilty.

Justice Aneke found the defendant guilty of the offense and convicted him as a result in his verdict.

The court gave the prisoner a one-year sentence with the possibility of a N300,000 punishment after hearing his request for leniency.

The federal government was also ordered to lose the objects used in the offense by the court.

According to the prosecutor, the defendant committed the crime between January and March.

She claimed that by posing as American actor “Keanu Reeves” on his Telegram account, he made a clear and deliberate false statement with the intention of tricking gullible people.

The prosecutor stated that the convicted individual wanted his falsehood to be taken seriously in order to profit financially from the victims.

She claimed that the offense violated the terms of the Cyber Crime Act of 2015’s Section 22(3).