A yet-to-be-identified gang of bandits kidnapped Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, the Parish Priest of Holy Family Catholic Church, Izombe, on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
The abduction occurred along Ejemekwuru Road in Oguta Local Government Area, Imo State, while he was en route to a Priests’ Annual Retreat.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri confirmed the incident through a statement by its Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Patrick Mbara, calling on the faithful to pray for Fr. Ubaechu’s safe release. The Church also invoked the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for his protection.
This is not the first such incident in the area; in 2023, another priest, Rev. Fr. Mathias Opara, was abducted on the same road and suffered severe torture before being released. Efforts to obtain a police response have so far been unsuccessful, as the Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, has not responded to inquiries.
