Rev. Father Livinus Maurice Freed After Kidnapping in Rivers State

Babatunji Wusu –

• Rev. Father Livinus Maurice and two others were freed after being abducted along the Elele-Isiokpo Road in Rivers State.
• Father Maurice, the Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, was kidnapped on Wednesday while returning from a hospital visit.
• Their release came after pressure from a combined security force of police, soldiers, and local vigilantes.
• The victims have been reunited with their families for medical attention.
• Meanwhile, another Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Jude Onyeka, was kidnapped in Onitsha, Anambra State.

After four days in captivity, Rev. Father Livinus Maurice, the Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Isiokpo, Rivers State, was released on Sunday, along with two unidentified individuals who had been abducted with him. Father Maurice was kidnapped last Wednesday while returning from a hospital visit.

The Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt, under Bishop Bernadine Anaele, had demanded his unconditional release. According to Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, the victims’ release was made possible through the coordinated efforts of police, soldiers from the Joint Task Force, and local vigilantes. The pressure from this combined security force led to their freedom around 6:30 am on Sunday.

The victims were immediately reunited with their families for medical attention, and authorities have continued their efforts to apprehend the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, another Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Jude Onyeka, has been abducted in Onitsha, Anambra State. Father Onyeka, who had recently been transferred to St. Dominic Catholic Church in Abatete, was kidnapped on Thursday along the Ugwunwasike Bypass. His whereabouts remain unknown, and no communication has been received from the kidnappers. The Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Rev. Fr. Prudentus Aroh, confirmed the kidnapping and called for prayers for Onyeka’s safe return.