Abducted Owerri Catholic bishop, driver, others regain freedom

Catholic auxilliary bishop of Owerri Moses Chikwe

Auxiliary bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri Moses Chikwe has been freed from his abductors, police have said.

Spokesman of the police in Imo Orlando Ikeokwu confirmed this on Friday, saying no ransom was paid.

In a statement, the Archbishop of Owerri Anthony Obinna said the auxiliary bishop and his driver Ndubuisi Robert were released at 10:45pm on Friday.

He said the driver sustained a wound in the hands of his abductors and had been “speedily” taken to the hospital.

The bishop and his driver were abducted on December 27, 2020, at the World Bank area of Owerri.

The police said other victims were rescued from the captors, although the number of those rescued was not stated.