Abuja: A Catholic priest kidnapped six days ago in Enugu State has been freed. Fr. Gerald Oheri, abducted last Saturday along the Ugwogo Nike-Opi Expressway in Nsukka Local Government Area, has safely returned. Fr. Oheri, a member of the Holy Spirit Congregation in southeastern Nigeria, also serves as a professor at the Major Seminary of the Spiritan community in Nsukka.

The priest was taken by gunmen while traveling back from a mass in Enugu State. According to the Spiritan community’s South-Eastern Province, the incident occurred near Opi. Reports from Nigerian media suggest the same group of attackers also attempted to abduct a prominent activist from the Peoples Democratic Party, one of Nigeria’s leading political organizations.

Fr. Vitalis Anushanwu, Secretary of the Holy Spirit Congregation in southeastern Nigeria, confirmed the release to the media, sharing that Fr. Oheri is unharmed and in good health. Expressing gratitude, he thanked God for the priest's safe return and acknowledged the prayers and support received during this challenging time. It remains unclear whether any ransom was paid to secure the release.