By Ononye VC
The Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha has expressed gratitude to the general public who joined in solidarity to pray for the release of it’s recently abducted priest,Rev Fr Basil Gbuzue.
Rev Fr Gbuzue it would be recalled,was abducted on May 15,2024 along Eke Nkpor-Obosi bypass,Anambra state.
In a statement released by the Chancellor of the Archdiocese,Very Rev Fr Dr Prudentius Emeka Aroh on behalf of the Archdiocese,he expressed the wish of the Archdiocese to inform the general public that fr Gbuzue has regained his freedom in a statement dated Friday,May 24.
According to the Chancellor,”fr Gbuzue is full of gratitude and appreciation for your prayerful solidarity” adding that Fr Gbuzue was abandoned by his abductors on Thursday,23rd May 2024 around Ufuma in Anambra State at midnight.
Fr. Aroh also extends the appreciation of the Local Ordinary of Onitsha, Archbishop Valerian Maduka Okeke to all the Clergy, women and men Religious, and all men and women of goodwill for their “prayers and solidarity in this trying moment in the life of our Archdiocese.”
“We also thank the Anambra State Government led by Prof. C. C. Soludo CFR, for his solidarity and for assigning his Special Adviser on Security Matters, AVM Ben Chiobi to lead the rescue team. The team really did a wonderful work,” the Chancellor further says.
He thanked the Parish Priest of Holy Cross Parish of Onitsha Archdiocese, Fr. Alex Ezema, who he says “happily welcomed Fr. Gbuzuo to his house when he came knocking at midnight.”
“He provided him with the basic necessities and took good care of him. We have happily received Fr. Gbuzuo back into the Archdiocesan Priestly Family,” Fr. Aroh says, extending gratitude to “our Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, for her powerful intervention.”
In his earlier statement following the abduction of Fr. Gbuzuo, the Chancellor of Onitsha Archdiocese had appealed for prayers. He invited “all Christ’s faithful and all men and women of goodwill to earnestly pray for the quick and safe release of the Priest as we intensify our efforts to ensure his freedom.”
