The Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri has confirmed the release of Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, the parish priest of Holy Family Catholic Church, Izombe, who was abducted on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
In an official statement issued early Thursday morning, Rev. Fr. Patrick Mbara, Chancellor and Secretary of the Archdiocese, announced that Fr. Ubaechu regained his freedom on Wednesday, March 26.
Punch earlier reported that , the priest was kidnapped at Ejemekuru while on his way to Owerri for the annual retreat of priests within the Archdiocese. The abductors reportedly demanded a ransom of N20 million, though Fr. Mbara’s statement did not disclose whether any payment was made or the specific circumstances surrounding the priest’s release.
The statement, titled Notification on the Release of Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, read in part:
“I am directed to inform you that our priest, Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, who was kidnapped on Sunday, March 23, 2025, has been released. He regained his freedom from his abductors today, March 26, 2025.
We thank God for His infinite mercy and for answering our prayers. We appreciate your fraternal solidarity and prayers. To God be the glory.”
A member of the Holy Family Catholic Church, Izombe, who identified himself simply as Okey, expressed joy over the development. He also urged the Imo State Government and security agencies to address the persistent security challenges along the Ejemekuru axis of the Izombe–Ogbaku road.
“We thank God for the release of Fr. Ubaechu and at the same time call on the Imo State Government and security agencies to do something about the repeated incidents of violent crimes on the Ejemekuru axis of the Izombe/Ogbaku road,” he said.
Okey recalled that another priest, Fr. Mathias Opara, was similarly kidnapped in the same area on May 26, 2023, after attending the burial of a colleague’s father. He added that several other incidents of kidnapping and armed robbery have occurred in that same location, suggesting the presence of escape routes used by criminals.
“To forestall further incidents,” he concluded, “a permanent security checkpoint should be established in the area.”
Punch.
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