Kidnapped Catholic priest, two others freed after four days
Four days after being abducted by gunmen along the Elele-Isiokpo road in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Rev. Father Livinus Maurice and two others have regained their freedom.
Father Maurice, the parish priest of St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Isiokpo, was kidnapped last Wednesday while returning from a hospital visit along with two others whose identities are yet to be ascertained.
Following the abduction, the Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt, on behalf of the Bishop, Bernadine Anaele, issued a statement calling for the priest’s unconditional release.
The spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed their release in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Iringe-Koko said a police manhunt led to the successful release of the priest and the two others.
She stated that they were freed at about 6:30 am on Sunday due to pressure from a combined security team, including police officers, soldiers from the Joint Task Force, and local vigilantes.
The statement read: “Please be informed that today, February 16, 2025, at about 06:30 hrs, information was received that the kidnapped victims, Rev. Father Livinus Maurice and others, have been released by their captors.
“Their release followed pressure from a combined security team comprising police officers, soldiers from the Joint Task Force in Isiokpo, and local vigilantes.
“The victims have been reunited with their families for medical attention, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the culprits.”
