Priest kidnapped, murdered while making arrangements to bury his father

The Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP, Mr. Chris Ezike, has confirmed the kidnap and murder of a Catholic priest identified as Rev. Fr. Cyriacus Onunkwo, who was abducted and killed in cold blood on September 1, 2017.

According to reports, the murdered priest had come home to make arrangements for the burial of his father when he also met his untimely death in the hands of the kidnappers at Nkwoito area of the state.

An eye-witness account at the scene of the incident said “the kidnap victim looked very much like a priest,” but could not at the time, properly identify who he was.

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However, it was later confirmed by the police after investigation that the kidnapped victim was Fr. Onunkwo.

The CP revealed that the body of Fr. Onunkwo had been recovered and identified by priests of Orlu Catholic Diocese who were called in immediately to verify the corpse which they later confirmed as their priest.

“The matter was properly reported to the police and we went into action. Less than 24 hours after, the Orsu Divisional Police Officer, DPO, reported the discovery of an abandoned corpse in its area of jurisdiction,” Ezike said.