The abduction of the Priest occurred amid the disturbing incident that highlights the escalating insecurity in Imo State.
For Opara was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen on Friday evening, sending shockwaves through the community.
The incident occurred along the Ejemekwuru and Ogbaku Road, a stretch of highway that connects Oguta and Mbaitoli Local Government Areas.
The Priest who had just attended a burial ceremony for a colleague’s father in the Izombe community, Oguta, was on his way back to Owerri when the abduction took place.
In an eyewitness account, the priest and several other individuals in the same vehicle were ambushed and forcibly taken captive.
The eyewitness in anonymity disclosed that they were also travelling back to Owerri after the funeral ceremony when the terrifying incident unfolded before their eyes.
Relevant authorities have been slow to confirm the incident.
When contacted, the State’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, said he was yet to receive an official report regarding the abduction.
The lack of immediate confirmation raises concerns about the communication and response capabilities of the security forces in the area.
However, the Director of Public Communications of the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Raymond Ogu, confirmed the abduction and provided further details. He explained that Fr. Opara and the other occupants of the vehicle were ambushed by armed assailants emerging from the bushes. While three of the passengers were eventually released, the gunmen held on to Fr. Opara and fled into the dense forest.
This abduction comes on the heels of another high-profile kidnapping of a Catholic priest in the state. Just a week prior, Rev. Fr. Jude Maduka of Christ the King Parish, Ezinachi/Ugwuago, Okigwe, was also taken captive while preparing for a Eucharistic Mass celebration at his adoration ground. These back-to-back incidents targeting members of the clergy have raised serious concerns about the safety and security of religious leaders in Imo State.
Recall that, this is not an isolated occurrence. In April, Rev. Fr. Michael Asumogha of St. Paul’s Catholic Parish, Osu, Isiala Mbano, was also kidnapped in the Okigwe Catholic Diocese. Although he was eventually released, the incident served as a chilling reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by priests and other individuals in the region.
These abductions of Catholic priests highlight the rampant insecurity plaguing Imo State and the urgent need for improved safety measures. The rising wave of kidnappings, especially targeting religious figures, is a distressing trend that demands immediate attention and action from both the government and security agencies.
The local community, already burdened by the constant fear and trauma caused by such incidents, now finds itself grappling with questions about their safety and the effectiveness of the security apparatus in the state. The lack of timely and decisive responses from the authorities only compounds the anxiety and exacerbates the sense of helplessness among residents.
As investigations into the abduction of Rev. Fr. Mathias Opara unfold, law enforcement agencies must intensify their efforts to secure his safe release. Additionally, the government must address the root causes of insecurity in Imo State and implement comprehensive strategies to protect the lives and properties of its citizens. The unabated wave of abductions and criminal activities not only threatens the social fabric of the state but also undermines the trust and confidence of the people in their leaders and institutions.
In this challenging time, the local community and the Catholic Church, in particular, stand united in their prayers and support for the safe return of Rev. Fr. Mathias Opara. They fervently hope for a swift resolution to this distressing incident and for lasting peace and security to be restored in the region.
