• Say over 50 priests have been kidnapped
From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
The Priests Association of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, Imo State, has protested the escalating insecurity and fear in the state.
According to the association, over 50 priests have been victims of kidnapping between 2015 and 2025, even as violent invasions of people’s lands and farms are now commonplace across the state.
The priests lamented that security agents in the state appear helpless and overwhelmed by the situation.
A communique signed by the secretary of the association, Rev. Fr. Chijioke Ekeada, partly reads: “The Catholic Priests of the Owerri Archdiocese have to speak out about the alarming descent of Imo into a state of insecurity and fear before it is too late.
“The situation is dire. Kidnappings for ransom, abductions for organ harvesting, violent invasions of people’s lands and farms are now commonplace across Imo State and Igbo land. These horrors are no longer distant headlines; they are personal.
“Our priests and faithful parishioners have suffered terribly. We have an innumerable number of people who have fallen victims in the past ten years. Between 2015 and 2025, about 50 clergy and religious victims of this horrendous crime were from Ahiara, Okigwe, Orlu and Owerri dioceses, with Okigwe recording the highest of 47 victims, and two deaths from Owerri and Orlu respectively.
“The perpetrators, often identified as Fulani herdsmen, strike with increasing boldness and cruelty. This is a nightmare no one should endure, let alone our people.”
“Our land is under siege. Infiltrators with malicious intent are moving freely, destroying lives and livelihoods. These crimes are committed with impunity, boldly and openly, while the state government remains disturbingly silent. This silence smacks of complicity.
“There have been no arrests of these criminals and murderers by the police whatsoever, no public outcry, no official reassurances. We are rather shocked to observe that those arrested by vigilante groups and handed over to the police are never brought to book.”