Four days after being kidnapped by gunmen along the Elele-Isiokpo route in Rivers State’s Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rev. Father Livinus Maurice and two others have been released.
Father Maurice, parish priest at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Isiokpo, was kidnapped last Wednesday while returning from a hospital visit, along with two others whose names have yet to be revealed.
Following the kidnapping, the Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt, on behalf of Bishop Bernadine Anaele, released a statement requesting the priest’s unconditional release.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, confirmed their release in a statement made in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Iringe-Koko said a police manhunt led to the successful release of the priest and the two others.
She stated that they were freed at about 6:30 am on Sunday due to pressure from a combined security team, including police officers, soldiers from the Joint Task Force, and local vigilantes.
The statement read: “Please be informed that today, February 16, 2025, at about 06:30 hrs, information was received that the kidnapped victims, Rev. Father Livinus Maurice and others, have been released by their captors.
“Their release followed pressure from a combined security team comprising police officers, soldiers from the Joint Task Force in Isiokpo, and local vigilantes.
“The victims have been reunited with their families for medical attention, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the culprits.”
