He said the disturbing trend has left many members of the clergy living in fear, while the Church continues to bear the financial and emotional toll of repeated abductions.
“The clergy among us who are also old seminarians are increasingly becoming endangered species. They are presently easy targets for kidnappers.
“Quite a great number of them had been kidnapped in the past with the Catholic Church paying huge amounts of money as ransom. They seem beautiful brides for kidnappers,” he said.
The president noted that while the church has remained steadfast in prayer and service, its response has been constrained by the worsening security situation nationwide.
Although, Akubueze commended the Nigerian Army for its efforts in apprehending the killers of Rev. Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu and rescuing Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, he stressed that such interventions must go beyond isolated cases to tackle the underlying causes of insecurity.
“This crisis demands urgent attention and collective action, we urge the government to prioritise the safety and security of all citizens, regardless of their profession or faith. We also call on the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council to speak out against these atrocities and promote peace and understanding,” he said.
Akubueze said this year’s convention focused on addressing the spate of kidnappings and wider insecurity confronting Nigeria where academics and experts brainstormed on this menace and proffered proactive solutions to help restore peace and protect vulnerable citizens, especially members of the clergy.
