The police commissioner in Imo, Nasiru Mohammed, says he has activated tactical units of the command to rescue Reverend Father Marcel Onyeocha and arrest his kidnappers.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the command’s spokesman, Orlando Ikeokwu, the police commissioner called for calm, assuring that the priest would be rescued.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Onyeocha of Mother Theresa of Golgotha Catholic Church, World Bank, Owerri, was kidnapped around Ihube in Okigwe Local Government Area of the state on April 10.

The statement reads: “One Bissong Atugu reported that on April 10, at about 7:45 p.m., while driving from Enugu to Owerri in a Nissan Exterra SUV, in the company of Rev. Fr. Marcel Onyeocha, the vehicle developed fault around Ihube in Okigwe LGA.

“As they stepped down to check the vehicle, a group of people, believed to be Fulani herdsmen, emerged from the bush and inflicted injuries on him, while the priest was kidnapped and taken to an unknown destination.

“Sequel to the above, the CP has activated all the tactical teams of the command, with a view to rescuing the priest and possibly arresting the culprits.”

He assured that the command would do everything possible to ensure the rescue of the priest.

Imo state has seen its share of kidnapping incidents in recent times with some of the victims returning either unhurt or still in captivity like the case of the Imo monarch who was, as reported by Vanguard, kidnapped on April 7 along with his family members on their return from a traditional wedding ceremony. His whereabouts are still unknown.

(NAN)