Kidnappers of US-Based Catholic Priest Arrested, Says Fada Ebube Muonso

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma, popularly known as Fada Ebube Muonso, has confirmed the arrest of six kidnappers who abducted his fellow priest in December.

Speaking to his congregation, Obimma expressed satisfaction that the criminals, who had previously mocked him, had finally been caught. The victim, Rev. Fr. Nonso, a Catholic priest studying in the United States, was kidnapped in Anambra while on vacation. He had just purchased fuel for his vehicle at a filling station when he was taken.

Obimma, who had actively worked for Fr. Nonso’s release, revealed that a governor from outside Anambra played a key role in tracking the priest’s location. He lamented the poor security situation in the state, criticizing the Anambra government under Prof. Chukwuma Soludo for its ineffectiveness. According to him, even after external efforts pinpointed the kidnappers’ location, local security operatives refused to act until they were bribed with ₦1 million.

Fr. Nonso was eventually released on Christmas Eve and later presented to the congregation. Addressing worshippers on Sunday, Obimma shared details of the kidnappers’ arrest. He recalled speaking directly with them, demanding Fr. Nonso’s release, but they dismissed him, claiming they saw him daily and could have abducted him as well.

“When we sent the ransom, I told them they would soon be caught, and they mockingly responded, ‘Iseee’ (Amen in Igbo). They didn’t realize I was serious. Days ago, they were apprehended, and you should have seen them begging,” he said.

Videos of the arrests have circulated on social media, but as of the time of this report, police authorities in Anambra have not issued an official statement.