Rev. Father Livinus Maurice, a Catholic priest serving in the Port Harcourt Diocese, has been abducted by gunmen along with two unidentified individuals in Rivers State.
Maurice, who is the Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Isokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area, was kidnapped while returning from a hospital visit along the Elele-Isiokpo Road on Wednesday, February 12.
In a statement issued by the Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt, signed by its Chancellor, Rev. Father Bernadine Anaele, the church urged the faithful to pray for the priest’s safe and unconditional release.
“Although the matter has been reported to security agencies, Christ’s faithful in Port Harcourt Diocese and across Nigeria are urged to intensify prayers for the safe return of the priest and those abducted with him,” the statement read.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, stated that efforts were underway to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
“Yes, the command is aware of the incident, and we are making frantic efforts to ensure the priest and the two others are released unhurt.”
She further assured that all tactical units had been alerted to track down the suspects and bring them to justice.
