- Pix: Father Mbaka on his return this afternoon
Massive protests have turned to jubilation in the coal city of Enugu, this afternoon, Wednesday, as the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu Nigeria (AMEN), Rev Father Ejike Mbaka, reappeared after going missing since Tuesday evening, May 4.
The State Online had reported the disappearance of the catholic priest since on Tuesday, a development that had led to massive protest earlier on Wednesday before his reappearance.
Many of the Adoration Ministry youths protested, alleging he had been picked up by security operatives or gunmen over his recent call on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign or be impeached.
However, in a live video update on Wednesday afternoon by BBC Pidgin, Mbaka was seen in an open roof car waving to protesters who surrounded him alongside operatives of the Nigerian Police.
Shouts of ‘Papa anata (Daddy has retuned), oyoyo’ rented the air.
Just in: Tension as Father Mbaka goes missing
Earlier, The State Online had reported thus:
There is palpable tension in the coal city of Enugu presently as the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka, has reportedly gone missing shortly after honouring an invitation by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council led by its Presidential General, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, who raised the alarm on Wednesday, May 5, alleged the cleric was last seen on Tuesday, May 4, adding that every effort to trace him had, so far, proved abortive.
“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, and 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’s leader warned.
It sent out a signal to youths to gather at Adoration ground for a protest over the missing priest.
The development has, therefore, heralded a massive protest in the coal city of Enugu with members of Adoration Ministry marching to the Bishop’s Court.
The angry members of Adoration Ministry vandalised the Bishop’s Court over allegation Mbaka was no longer seen after he honoured an invitation by the Bishop last night.
The youths alleged Mbaka may have been arrested or abducted by gunmen.
Recall that the cleric had called for the resignation or impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari over rising insecurity, with the Presidency firing back that the priest turned against Buhari, who he supported for election in 2015 and 2019, after he failed to secure contracts sought from the president.
Besides visiting Mr. President, Father Mbaka was reported to have dropped new prophecies, May 2, in which he revealed what will happen to Buhari Government if he (Mbaka) is attacked.
In the prophecy, Father Mbaka prophesied that there was an imminent disaster in Nigeria, charging the government to provide employment opportunities for the youths, saying Heaven’s anger will descend on the Muhammadu Buhari administration if the government fights him, adding that he speaks against the government on behalf of the Nigerian masses.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has denied it arrested Father Mbaka for any reason whatsoever.
Dr Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesman, who stated this Wednesday afternoon, denied vehemently that the cleric was in the Service’s custody, saying, “this is not true. Fr Mbaka was not picked up by the DSS. Rev Fr Mbaka is not with the DSS. The DSS did not pick him up, please.”
Meanwhile, the Coal City of Enugu still remains in palpable tension with youths giving the Federal Government a 48-hour ultimatum to produce Mbaka./ SHARE THIS
- Tags: Rev Father Ejike Mbaka, OYC