A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Godfrey Chimezie, of the St. Theresa’s Parish, Umuahia, Abia State, has been kidnapped.

The incident happened on Enyiukwu Road, Ohokobe, Afaraukwu Ibeku, in the Umuahia North Local Government Area of the state.

Eyewitnesses said some gunmen intercepted the priest, who had just concluded a morning mass at the St. Gabriel Catholic Church, Okpuruhie Afaraukwu, forced him out of his Toyota Corolla into their Jeep, and sped away.

Chimezie, who hails from Enugu State, was ordained a priest earlier this year.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Geoffrey Ogbonna, said the police had yet to receive a formal report about the incident.

However, some Catholic ministers confirmed the incident to UGAMATV on Wednesday.

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Meanwhile, a few hours after the kidnap of the priest, a woman was also abducted on Aba Road, Umuahia, opposite the Madonna Catholic Hospital.

The unidentified woman was said to be coming out of a filling station where she bought fuel when she was accosted and whisked away by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.

The police spokesman confirmed the incident, adding that investigation was ongoing.