- The incumbent Bishop of Nnewi, Ndubuisi Obi, shared the news in a Facebook post
A retired Anglican Archbishop of the Niger Province and Bishop of Nnewi, Professor Godwin Okpala, has been declared missing in Anambra State, southeast Nigeria.
The Anglican Diocese of Nnewi announced the development on Saturday, revealing that the cleric and his driver have been unaccounted for since embarking on a journey to Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area, on Friday morning.
The incumbent Bishop of Nnewi, Ndubuisi Obi, shared the news in a Facebook post, stating that neither Mr Okpala, his driver, nor their vehicle had been located over 24 hours after their departure.
“Since then, there has been no communication,” Bishop Obi wrote, urging the public to join the church in prayer for their safety and swift return.
The Diocese confirmed that relevant authorities have been informed and expressed hope for divine intervention in the matter.
Umuchu, the cleric’s destination, has recently seen an uptick in violence, including attacks on security operatives by gunmen. Anambra State, like much of Nigeria’s southeast, has faced worsening insecurity, marked by frequent incidents of violence by armed groups.
Bishop Obi reassured the faithful of the church’s commitment to seeking divine and practical solutions, adding, “We trust in the Lord, whose watchful eyes never slumber, to bring our beloved Father in God and his driver back to us safely.”
Efforts to locate the missing cleric are ongoing.