- The Diocesan Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki announced the development.
- The release of the priest, others was unconditional, the church said.
Rev Fr Joseph Azubuike, a Catholic priest, who was abducted by unknown gunmen on Monday, has regained his freedom.
Three other persons who were kidnapped alongside the priest were also released.
Within Nigeria had reported how Azubuike, the parish priest of St Charles in Mgbaleke Isu in Onicha LGA of Ebonyi State and three others were kidnapped on their way back home from ecumenical activities.
However, the Diocesan Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, Rev Fr Matthew Uzoma Opoke, said the priest and the other abducted persons have been released.
Opoke made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Abakaliki on Tuesday.
He expressed gratitude to the state governor and others who made the release of the captives a reality.
The statement reads in part: “We are glad to inform you that Fr. Joseph Azubuike, together with the three, have regained freedom from their abductors. It is a thing of joy that God answered our prayers and gazetted the unconditional release of His servant in a very remarkable way.
“We are grateful to those who swung into action on hearing the ugly news of his abduction together with the three others.
“We are grateful to the governor, Francis Nwifuru, for his determination and concern for the safety of those who were abducted.
“We commend the efforts of the security agencies and youths of Isu community,” it stated.
Earlier, in a reaction, the Spokesperson of the Ebonyi State Police Command, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, confirmed that the security agencies swung into action when the news of the abduction of the clergymen was reported to the command.
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