Panic as gunmen kidnap an auxiliary bishop and his driver in Owerri

Monsignor Moses Chikwe, auxiliary bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, was kidnapped by strangers.

Bishop Chikwe was accompanied by his driver when their vehicle was attacked by gunmen on the World Bank-Umugum road on Sunday evening, December 27.

He was taken away with a driver. His car was later left in Assumpta Cathedral.

Monsignor Cikwe was ordained bishop on December 12, 2019. Prior to his appointment as Secondary Bishop by Pope Francis, he was director of education for the archdiocese and staff member of the parish of St. Thomas More.

A spokesman for Orlando State Police Command Ikeokwu confirmed the incident and said the State Police Commissioner had engaged the Rapid Response Team and the Kidnapping Unit to intervene to rescue the bishop and possibly arrest the thugs.