The auxiliary bishop of Owerri Catholic archdiocese in Imo state, Moses Chikwe has been released by his abductors.
Recall that the auxiliary bishop was kidnapped on December 27 alongside his driver at a location not far from his residence in Owerri, the capital of Imo state.
There were reports that the auxiliary bishop, Chikwe had been murdered days after he was kidnapped.
Meanwhile, the diocesan assistant secretary, Nnaemeka Njezi in a statement had denied the claim and asked for prayers to ensure the safe return of the cleric.
“His Grace, Most Rev Anthony J.V. Obinna, Archbishop of Owerri, hereby requests all Christ’s faithful and people of goodwill at large to disregard the purported news feed on the killing of the Auxiliary Bishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Moses Chikwe,” Njezi had said.
“This information is unconfirmed, misleading and does not come from the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri. We continue to appeal that all join the Archbishop in prayers for the release of Bishop Chikwe and Mr. Nduduisi Robert, his driver.”
The church on Thursday had further stated that the abductors were “yet to make any contact with the archdiocese”.
However, on Friday night, the archdiocese confirmed that the bishop and his driver had been rescued alive.
“The Auxiliary Bishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Moses Chikwe, with his driver, Mr. Ndubuisi Robert, has been released from their abductors unhurt and without ransom. More details to come. To GOD be the glory,” a post on the Facebook page of the archdiocese reads.
