Human Rights Concern, Cameroon: Kidnapped Fr Christopher Eboka of Mamfe Diocese still held incommunicado by his abductors for one week
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One week later, the Rev. Priest of Catholic Church in Mamfe, South West Region of Cameroon has not been released despite the public appeal. He was reportedly kidnapped by some armed separatists on Friday 22 May 2021 when left Mamfe Town for a brief Pastoral trek in view of the Pentecost to some mission stations of the Cathedral Parish of Mamfe.
Official Statement from the Diocese of Mamfe reads “On Friday, May 21, 2021, our Priest and brother, Fr. Christopher Eboka, left Mamfe town for a brief Pastoral trek, in view of the Pentecost, to some Mission Stations of the Cathedral Parish. Reports later reached us that he was taken hostage* on May 22. 2021 by some separatist fighters. Despite all appeals and efforts to secure his release Fr. has not been set free and is still being held incommunicado.”
His abduction has received condemnation from the Catholic faithful who have continued to call for his immediate and unconditional release.
To secure his release, the Diocese of Mamfe has in a communique signed on 26 May 2021 call all Christians of the diocese to rally for the celebration of Holy Mass and pray for his immediate and unconditional release. “While we keep praying and working to secure his release (together with his bike rider) we call on all our Priests to rally the faithful in the various Parish churches on Friday 28 May 2021 at 9 am to celebrate Holy Mass and pray for his immediate and unconditional release.
During armed conflict, religious bodies, traditional, health, education, hospital are protected and not targeted
Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
