The kidnapped Nigerian Auxiliary Bishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Moses Chikwe, and his driver Robert Ndubuisi, have been released.
According to a statement of the Archdiocese of Owerri, made available to newsmen, Bishop Chikwe and his driver were released on the evening of the New Year, 1 January.
“With gratitude to God, I hereby inform all Christ’s Faithful and People of Goodwill everywhere that at about 10:00 pm on 1 January 2021, His Lordship, Most Rev. Moses Chikwe and. Mr. Ndubuisi Robert, his driver, who were abducted in the evening of Sunday the 27 December 2020 were finally released. I personally visited and saw Bishop Chikwe in his residence at about 10:45 pm, looking very weak from the traumatic experience. Nevertheless, we continue to thank Almighty God for His goodness to us. At the time of my visit, Mr. Ndubuisi Robert, the driver, was unavailable because he had been speedily taken to the hospital for the treatment of a deep cut he received on his hand from the kidnappers,” said the Archbishop of Owerri, Anthony Obinna.
In remarks following the Angelus prayer on New Year’s Day, Pope Francis appealed for Bishop Chikwe and his driver’s release.
“I sincerely thank the Holy Father, Pope Francis for mentioning the captivity of Bishop Moses Chikwe and. Mr. Ndubuisi Robert and praying for their release at his New Year Angelus Message at the Vatican just hours before they regained their freedom,” said Archbishop Obinna.
Earlier in the week, there was heightened concern and alarm for the well-being of Bishop Chikwe and his driver when a fake news post spoke of the discovery of the body of Bishop Chikwe. The Archdiocese of Owerri was forced to quickly reassure the faithful that, “This information is unconfirmed, misleading and does not come from the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri”.
In the meantime, Archbishop Obinna has thanked the Imo and Anambra State Governments in Nigeria, together with their security wings for their efforts to secure the release of Bishop Chikwe and his driver.
“I gratefully acknowledge that the Imo State Government through the Directorate of Security Services and the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Nigeria Police Force and the Anambra State Government through the Chief Security Officer of the State combined their efforts to attain the release of Bishop Chikwe and. Mr. Ndubuisi Robert, his driver.
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