Reverend Father (Rev.Fr.) John John Ubaechu, the Parish Priest of Holy Family Catholic Church in Izombe, Imo State, who was kidnapped on Sunday, March 23 has regained freedom from his captors.
This was revealed via a statement by Rev. Fr. Patrick Mbara, the Chancellor/Secretary of the Owerri Archdiocesan Catholic Secretariat, on Thursday, March 27.
He announced that Ubaechu was freed on Wednesday, March 26.
Mbara stated that Rev.Fr. Ubaechu was kidnapped in the evening of Sunday, March 23, in Ejemekuru while en route to Owerri, Imo State, for the annual retreat of priests from the Owerri Archdiocese.
He mentioned that the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N20 million for his release.
However, Mbara did not provide any details regarding the circumstances of Ubaechu’s release.
The statement which was captioned, ‘Notification on the release of Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu,’ read, “I am directed to inform you that our priest, Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu who was kidnapped on Sunday March 23, 2025 has been released.
“He regained his freedom from his abductors today March 26, 2025.
“We thank God for his infinite mercy and for answering our prayers.
“We appreciate your fraternal solidarity and prayers. To God be the glory.”
While reacting to the news of Ubaechu’s release, a male parishioner from Holy Family Catholic Church in Izombe, expressed his gratitude to God for the priest’s safe return.
He said, “We thank God for the release of Fr. Ubaechu and at the same time calling on the Imo State Government and security agency to do something on the repeated incidents of violent crimes on Ejemekuru axis of Izombe/Ogbaku road.
“This same axis where Fr. Ubaechu was kidnapped on Sunday was exactly the same area that Fr. Mathias Opara was kidnapped sometime in May 26, 2023 after attending the burial of the late father of a brother priest in Izombe.
“Apart from the kidnapping of these two priests, a number of other kidnap and armed robbery cases have been reported around that same spot, suggesting that the criminals have safe routes of escape around there.”
The parishioner then suggested that, to prevent further criminal activities in the area, a security checkpoint should be set up nearby.
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