Rita Odafe
Rev Fr Emmanuel Obimma, known as Fada Ebube Muonso, a Nigerian Catholic priest, has announced the capture of six individuals involved in the kidnapping of his fellow priest last December.
In a recent address to his church members, he expressed relief that the kidnappers who had ridiculed him are now in custody.
Rev Fr Nonso, a priest studying in the U.S., was abducted while on vacation in Anambra after stopping for fuel.
Obimma shared that he made numerous attempts to secure Nonso’s release, highlighting that it was only through the assistance of an out-of-state governor that the kidnappers’ location was identified.
He criticized the poor security measures in Anambra, revealing that local security forces did not take action until he offered them a N1 million bribe, and expressed disappointment in the government led by Prof Chukwuma Soludo for their ineffective handling of security issues.
Ultimately, Rev Fr Nonso was freed on Christmas Eve and later introduced to the church community.
During his address, Obimma confirmed the arrest of six individuals responsible for the kidnapping.
He recounted, “I told them that I had spoken with the kidnappers and demanded the priest’s release, but they laughed it off, claiming they see me daily and could easily consider me a target.
“After paying the ransom, I warned them it wouldn’t be long before they faced justice, and they simply replied with ‘iseee,’ the Igbo word for Amen.
“They mocked me, unaware I was serious. Just days ago, they were captured and pleading.”
Despite having seen videos of the kidnappers’ arrest circulating online, official confirmation from Anambra police is still pending at the time of this report.
