A Catholic priest, Fr. Gerald Ohaeri, has been freed by gunmen after being abducted last Saturday along the Ugwogo Nike-Opi Express Road in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria. Fr. Ohaeri was returning from a mass in Isienu when the attackers seized him.

The priest, who is a member of the Holy Spirit Congregation and a professor at the Major Seminary of the Spiritan community in Nsukka, was released four days after the abduction. Fr. Vitalis Anusionwu, the secretary of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit in southeastern Nigeria, confirmed the priest's release, saying that Fr. Ohaeri is safe and in good health.

Fr. Anusionwu expressed gratitude for the prayers and support from well-wishers, though he did not clarify whether a ransom was paid for the release. He thanked God for the safe return of the priest and for the support during the difficult days.

The abduction of Fr. Ohaeri comes amid rising cases of kidnappings for ransom in the region. Over the past few months, civil servants, business owners, politicians, and students have fallen victim to such attacks along the Opi-Nsukka-Ugwogo-Nike Road. Just two months ago, a Nigerian professor, Oguejiofor Ujam, was kidnapped on the same road but later escaped following a security shootout. Another victim, Emeason Chima, a Federal Road Safety Corps official, remains in captivity.

No group has claimed responsibility for the latest abduction, although separatist group IPOB has been linked to several attacks in the area.

The recent abduction of Fr. Ohaeri adds to a troubling pattern of kidnappings targeting clergy members in Nigeria. On November 14, popular Nigerian gospel singer Sir Jude Nnam was kidnapped and later released. Earlier in November, Fr. Emmanuel Azubuike, the Parish Priest of St. Theresa Obollo Parish in the Catholic Diocese of Okigwe, was abducted and later freed. In October, Fr. Thomas Oyode, Rector of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, was taken but released after 10 days in captivity on November 6. Additionally, Fr. Mikah Suleima, who was kidnapped on June 22 from his parish rectory in the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, has since regained his freedom.