The Owerri Archdiocesan Catholic Secretariat has confirmed the release of Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, the kidnapped Parish Priest of the Holy Family Catholic Church, Izombe.

A statement by Rev. Fr. Patrick Mbara, the

Archdiocesan Chancellor/Secretary early Thursday morning, disclosed that Ubaechu was released on Wednesday March 26, 2025.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the clergyman was kidnapped in the evening of Sunday March 23 at Ejemekuru on his way to Owerri for the annual retreat of priests of the Owerri Archdiocese.

It was also gathered that the kidnappers had demanded for N20 million ransom for the release of the priest.

But Mbara, in the statement announcing the release of his colleague, was silent on the details concerning the freedom of Ubaechu from captivity. (NAN)