Angry members of the Adoration Ministry in Enugu State on Wednesday attacked the residence of the Catholic Bishop of Enugu diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onagah.
It was gathered that mob were protesting the alleged detention of the ministry’s Spiritual Director, Rev. Fr Ejike Mbaka, in the bishop’s house.
According to The PUNCH, the protesters who chanted war songs destroyed the perimeter fence and window panes of the bishop’s house.
The bishop’s guests house and Youth Corp member’s lodge adjacent to the bishop’s residence were not spared.
They also gained access into the sitting room and destroyed furniture and other items.
The protesters were restrained from causing more damage by scores of security personnel who stormed the bishop residence.
It was that Onagah invited Mbaka for a meeting on Tuesday, after Mbaka and other priests left.
It was gathered also that shortly after the meeting, Mbaka’s cell phones were reportedly switched off.
On Wednesday morning his phones were still not going, prompting his followers to raise the alarm.
A security source told PUNCH that the DSS compelled Onagah to invite Mbaka to his house from where they arrested him.
However, when they saw the level of destruction visited on the bishop’s residence and the cathedral, they allowed him to make a video call to some of his supporters. They were said not to have been satisfied and were forced to release him.
Mbaka while addressing his congregants, said, “Whoever went to Lion’s den; what is he looking for?
He said, “It is from the bishop that I came here, but I thank God that what was destroyed was big. If I told Buhari to change why should it be a crime? Have bishops not said so? Has Governor Umahi not said there is insecurity in Nigeria? Have priests and pastors not said that there was insecurity. And they want to stop Mbaka’s voice, voice of anointing.
“Unfortunately, some of those who attended that meeting, instead of keeping the secret, started talking. They said that they arrest the person that is threatening them, Adoration will be closed, Mbaka will be sent out. And the people heard it. so they caused their problem.
“What I want to you is that because you people have not forsaken me I will not forsake you.”
He said his bishop had asked him to go back to his ministry and continue his work.
He added, “What I want to tell people is that whenever there is message; instead of doing what was said, they will start fighting me. They will remain where they are fighting Mbaka and the message will come to accomplishment. If they want or they don’t want let them do what they ought to do. Look after the poor. Look after the youths. I don’t look for contract. Even if they report it to Pope I am ready to go there and defend it.
When Director of Communication, Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Rev Fr. Benjamin Achi was contacted on telephone he declined comment.
But Achi had earlier said the church was not aware of Mbaka’s disappearance, saying, “If Fr Mbaka is missing, it is the Church, Catholic Diocese of Enugu, that should alert the world that he is missing.”