Fr. Mbaka resurfaces after ‘disappearing’

… Not in our custody – DSS

ENUGU based Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, appeared in Enugu this afternoon shortly after reports of his disappearance went viral earlier today.

  News of his return was spread by his Adoration Ministry faithful who were still protesting in the streets with some others gathering at Adoration Ground demonstrating against his ‘missing’ since yesterday.

  This led to jubilation that replaced the earlier tension in Enugu.

  Although details of circumstances surrounding his disappearance are yet not clear, there are insinuations that Mbaka was arrested and later released.

  But the air round this belief would be cleared from a public appearance at his Emene Adoration ground that is being expected to be made by Mbaka.

  It is also believed that the public appearance would finally douse the tension that engulfed Enugu earlier today over Mbaka’s whereabouts after a group called Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council raised the alarm that the cleric was missing.

  Speaking in press conference in Enugu, President-General of OYC, Okwu Nnabuike said Mbaka was last seen yesterday, but every effort to trace him has failed.

  “We have it on good authority that his aides have neither seen nor heard from him since Tuesday. Calls put to his mobile line have also remained unanswered; this has now prompted us to issue this alarm as we would not take it lightly should anything untoward happen to him. We are giving the Federal Government 48 hours to produce the priest, else they should be ready to face Igbo youths. They were dining and wining with him all along and now that he told the truth, they are no longer comfortable with him. Let nothing happen to Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka. It will not be in anybody’s interest,” the group warned.

  The development led to a massive protest in the city of Enugu with members marching to the Bishop’s Court with protesters asking Catholic Bishop of Enugu, Callistus Onaga to produce Fr. Mbaka who they said has got missing since Monday after he went to see the Bishop.

  The youths alleged that Mbaka may have been arrested or abducted by gunmen.

  But Department for State Security (DSS) today said that Enugu based preacher, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka is not in their custody.

  Spokesman of DSS, Peter Afunaya, made the assertion while refuting suspicions by his followers that Mbaka was in DSS custody.

  “Rev Fr. Mbaka is not with the DSS. We did not pick him up, please,” Afunaya said.

  But there was a protest in front of Catholic Bishop’s Court in Enugu where his supporters gathered, chatting and

  It will be recalled that the Federal government had alleged that some religious and political leaders were planning to overthrow the Mohammadu Buhari-led government after the cleric had called for the resignation or impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari over rising insecurity. But the presidency fired back he turned against Buhari, who he supported for election in 2015 and 2019.