IMO: Army foils attempted kidnap of Catholic Bishop

Troops conducting Exercise Golden Dawn, Sector III have foiled an attempted kidnap and robbery of Most Reverend Augustine Ukwuoma at the Orlu Diocesan Catholic Secretariat in Imo State.

The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, made this known in a statement on Sunday.

The troops, in response to a distress call at about 2:30am on Sunday, were said to have swiftly moved to the scene, forcing the assailants to take to their heels while abandoning their mission.

“The bishop, his secretary, and assistant secretary are safe and unhurt”, Nwachukwu said.

He assured residents that troops would continue to deny freedom of action to members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) and other criminal gangs operating within the sector, especially as the election in Anambra State draws nearer and during the yuletide season.

The army spokesman urged members of the public to report the suspicious movement of criminals, as well as hideouts of the outlawed IPOB/ESN to law enforcement agencies.

Nwachukwu noted that the group is only out to intimidate, steal, and kidnap law-abiding citizens for ransom.