Unknown gunmen have kidnapped two Catholic Priests of Umueze Anam, Anambra West Local Government Area if Anambra State.

News Express gathered that the two priests were whisked away from Nneyi village, Umuleri area, on Monday (Christmas eve) while on their way to Umueze Anam to prepare for the visit of Cardinal Francis Arinze to the area.

Though the names of the clergymen could not be ascertained as at time of filing this report, it was learnt that they are the priest-in-charge of St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, Umueze Anam.

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Haruna Muhammed, who confirmed the incident, said that patrol team attached to Otuocha Division at about 7:25pm on Dec. 24, 2018, recovered a light grey Toyota Corolla car with REG NO FST 689 FL.

According to him, the vehicle was abandoned at Nneyi Umueri road.

He said: “Preliminary investigation revealed that the car belonged to a Rev Father who was allegedly kidnapped by yet to be identified gunmen who took away the victim and abandoned his vehicle.

“Meanwhile, the case is under investigation and effort is ongoing to rescue the victim and apprehend perpetrators in order to bring them to Justice.”

Mohammed, however, said he was yet to ascertain the number of the kidnapped clergymen.