The Diocese of Enugu, Nigeria, expressed gratitude to God following the release of Fr. Marcellinus Obioma Okide, who had been kidnapped during a road trip on 17 September.
“We are pleased to inform you that our brother and priest, Fr. Marcellinus Obioma Okide, has been freed from the kidnappers’ den at around 8:00 pm on Thursday, September 21, 2023,” reported Fr. Wilfred Chidi Agubuchie, the diocesan chancellor, in a statement released on 23 September.
“The Diocese of Enugu is grateful to the Almighty for his protection over Fr. Okide and thanks you for your prayers and masses during this difficult period,” he adds after the release of the parish priest of St. Mary Amofia-Agu Affa Church, located in Enugu state, southeastern Nigeria.
The chancellor further prays: “May Our Lady, Help of Christians, intercede for us and for our country, Nigeria.”
Nigeria has been experiencing major insecurity since 2009 when the Boko Haram insurgency began with the aim of turning the country into an Islamic state.
Since then, the terrorist group, one of the largest Islamic groups in Africa, has been orchestrating indiscriminate attacks against various targets, including religious and political groups, as well as civilians.