Unidentified soldiers arrest a Catholic priest: tension in Cross Rivers (photos)
Tensions arose in Cross Rivers following the arrest of a Catholic priest by men in military uniform.
Some people in military uniforms reportedly stormed into the Holy Spirit Parish in Abuochich in the Bequarra Local Government Area, Cross Rivers State, and arrested Assistant Pastor Rev. P. Titus Armon around 6:00 pm Thursday.
In the eyewitness accounts of parishioners who attended the evening mass in the church, it is said that “Father Armon was picked up right in the church premises when the evening mass ended, and he greeted the parishioners.”
Parishioners also said men in military uniforms would be sent from Calabar, the state capital.
According to one of the parishioners, Father Armon was arrested in place of his twin brother, also a priest serving in Anambra state.
“His twin brother recently criticized Governor Ben Ayade.
“Father Armon, Anambra has written a very critical opinion on the mandate of Governor Ayade!”
Speaking to reporters, one of the church’s elders said that Joe Agi’s Catholic lawyers SAN Chambers are making efforts to find the arrested priest and release him.
“We look forward to his release and further details about why he was arrested and who instigated his arrest that same day,” he said.
They say that the parishioners of Saints Peter and Paul are worried and wonder why the priest was arrested even on the premises of the church.
It turned out that community leaders worked hard to appease believers in order to prevent violations of law and order.
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