The suspected killers of a Catholic priest identified as Cyriacus Onunkwo who was kidnapped and eventually killed in Orlu town, Imo state have been arrested.
According to reports, Rev Fr. Cyriacus Onunkwo was kidnapped on September 1, in Orlu, Imo state after which he was dragged out of his car and later found dead.
Onunkwo’s corpse was later found on Saturday in the neighbouring village of Omuma in Imo state.
Speaking about the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Chris Ezike, said that:
“Although we are working on all leads over the matter, it is a clear case of abduction and murder. If it was a case of kidnapping, his captors would have put a call across to a member of his close relatives or to their victim and made a demand.”
Reports gathered at the crime scene that the priest’s car was intact and nothing was taken away from him.
ALSO READ: Ozubulu: Catholic Church set to hold Sunday service after last week attack [Photos]
When members of Onunkwo’s family were reached for an interview, it was gathered that he was returning home to organise the funeral of his father when he was kidnapped at gunpoint.
Onunkwo is the second Catholic priest reported to be murdered in Nigeria in 2017. In July, Fr. Raphael Pankyes was killed by three men in Plateau State.
It has however been noted that the country has been plagued by great violence especially with armed gangs roaming the city and kidnapping people for ransom.
It would be recalled that in September 2016, the Nigerian Bishops’ Conference issued a statement calling on the government and its agencies to do more to tackle rising crime within the region.
Follow us on Facebook – Dailyfamily.ng, Twitter – @DailyfamilyNG , Whatsapp +2348188889427, BBM PIN D86722A7 and instagram @dailyfamilyng for more updates.
