04/12/2021 Nigeria (International Christian Concern) – According to the Nigeria Daily Post, Reverend Prof. Izu Marcell Onyeocha of Mother Theresa Golgotha Catholic Church was kidnapped by suspected Fulani Militants early Saturday morning while driving along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Express Road in Imo state.
The priest’s release was confirmed on Monday via a statement by the Owerri provincial secretary of Claretian Missionaries, Rev. Fr. Matthew Iwuagwu:
“With grateful hearts we wish to thank the Almighty God for the release of Fr. Izu Marcel Onyeocha from the den of the kidnappers,” said Iwuagwu,
“The Provincial Superior has spoken with him. He is in a stable condition… We appreciate everyone who stormed heaven with prayers. God is ever faithful, and He answered us.”
Nigeria has dealt with significant internal violence for years, mostly at the hands of the Boko Haram terrorist group and militant Fulani herdsmen. Tens of thousands have been killed or abducted by these two groups, and hundreds of thousands have been internally displaced. ICC’s analysis shows that the majority of civilian and government deaths in 2020 happened at the hands of Fulani militants rather than Boko Haram terrorists or bandits. Despite this fact, the government of Nigeria continues to largely ignore the Fulani crisis in favor of the more easily defined terrorist threat posed by Boko Haram and the simpler criminal threat posed by vaguely defined bandits.
Please pray for the safe return of all who have been kidnapped. Please join us in praying for our brothers and sisters in Nigeria, for the Lord to strengthen the Nigerian church and heal His persecuted children of their trauma. Please also pray for the world to recognize the scale of the suffering that believers are having to endure in Nigeria, as well as for the souls of those who persecute the church, that all will repent and find salvation in Christ.
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