The victim, Basil Chukwuemeka, was kidnapped at about 8 a.m. on Wednesday at Eke Nkpor by Obosi Bypass in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.
The Chancellor, Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Prudentius Aroh, announced this in a statement on Thursday.
Mr Aroh, also a Catholic priest, said the victim is a priest in residence at Holy Trinity Parish, Ogidi, another community in the council area.
“Until now, the abductors have not established any contact with anybody,” he said.
The chancellor said the bishop of the archbishop of the Archdiocese, Valerian Okeke, has called for intensified prayers among the Catholic faithful for the safe release of the cleric.
The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday.
Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Nnaghe Obono, had addressed other Catholic priests on the development in the Bishop Conference at Onitsha.
“Anambra Police Command has launched a manhunt for the abductors and possible rescue of Reverend Fr. Basil Chukwuemeka, which sad incident occurred at Nkpor Junction, Onitsha,” he said
The spokesperson said the police commissioner has assured the leadership of the church that the police in the state would do “everything” to rescue the priest unhurt and arrest the kidnappers.
“The Command is already working with some eyewitnesses of the incident in the ongoing operation,” Mr Ikenga added.
