BY CHIDI NKWOPARA
OWERRI — Palpable anxiety has continued to reign at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church, Mgbidi, Oru West local council area of Imo State, as the safety of little Miss Miracle Ohanyere, who was abducted nearly three weeks ago from the church premises, remained uncertain.

Vanguard investigation revealed that the abduction of the child turned out to be the climax of the recent attacks unleashed on the church by  yet-to-be-identified hoodlums.

As at the last count, the altar in the main church building had been desecrated and burnt twice, while other sacramentals and equipment were completely destroyed by the rampaging hoodlums.

Already, Catholic faithful in the parish have commenced 21-day novena prayers for the safety and eventual release of the abducted child.

Confirming the development to Vanguard, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Eugene Dike, expressed confidence in the ability of security agencies to track down perpetrators of the heinous crime.

He also confirmed that the Catholic Bishop of Orlu, Most Rev. Augustine Ukwuoma, would personally visit the parish to conclude the novena prayer session at a date convenient for him.

Vanguard recalls that between May 24, 2011, and June 8, 2011, Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church, Mgbidi, had been attacked twice, capped with the bizarre abduction of the little girl.