Over fifty members of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province have been abducted since 2015, according to priests from that province.
Rev. Fr. Chijioke Ekeada, secretary to the Archdiocesan Priests’ Association, expressed his deepest sorrow in a communiqué shared with journalists in Owerri. He said that the Catholic clergy are now a particularly vulnerable target for kidnappers, who have made a lucrative business out of abducting priests for ransom.
According to Fr. Ekeada, the government has made almost no genuine attempt to resolve the issue, and this has had a negative impact on the Church.
“Things are looking bad. Violent invasions of people’s lands and farms, kidnappings for ransom, and abductions for organ harvesting are now widespread across Imo State and Igboland.
These atrocities are now close at hand; they are no longer abstract concepts. He bemoaned the fact that our priests and devoted parishioners had endured unimaginable suffering, and that their anguish was far from over.
In the ten years between 2015 and 2025, according to Fr. Ekeada’s account, many people have become victims, including over fifty clergy members and other religious people.
He said that Ahiara, Okigwe, Orlu, and Owerri are all experiencing a very bad scenario, but that the abduction of priests is worst in Okigwe Diocese.
The anguish has gone on and on for our dedicated parishioners and pastors. From 2015 to 2025, countless individuals have been affected by this terrible situation. Among the religious victims, there are over 50 clergy. In the Diocese of Okigwe in Imo State, 47 victims were recorded, with two deaths in Orlu and 47 in Owerri.
The attackers, who are commonly thought of as Fulani herders, are becoming more daring and brutal with each attack. “No one should have to go through this, especially our people,” he said with further regret.
Our moms don’t feel secure working the farms anymore, Fr. Ekeada said. Anxieties, deprivation, and starvation are magnified. The unregulated exploitation of susceptible teenagers is on the rise.
This is getting out of hand, and as priests, we stand in unwavering solidarity with the people. We support them in this fight against terror and devastation on a moral and spiritual level. Our prayers, our voices, and our brave actions will not end. Our flock will not be abandoned.
To combat the rising tide of insecurity and protect lives and property, the organization urged the Director-General of the Department of State Security (DSS) and other security authorities to work together with local vigilante groups.