Some youths allegedly attacked and beat up one Rev. Father Ejike Fabian Odunze, the parish priest of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Nkomoro in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

According to reports, the incident happened after Father Odunze flogged and detained the child of the Councilor of Nkomoro Ward, Mrs Ngozika Onele, for allegedly destroying his cassava farm.

Speaking to Vanguard on Thursday, October 8, a source from the community said that Father Ejike had vowed not to release the child without seeing the parents, having warned him several times, against destroying his farm produce.

Irked by Fr Odunze’s refusal to release the boy, his family members reported the matter to the Chairman of the Parish Council.

“When the Chairman of the Parish Council arrived Father’s house, alongside Kelechi Nwali and Chika Nwali, who are the brothers to the Ward Councillor, he sought to know what happened.”

“But Fr. Ejike asked him to ask the people who brought him into the matter. It was in the process that a quarrel ensued. Then, Chika Nwali insisted Father must release the boy to them without further delay. His outburst angered Father who ordered that he should leave his compound. But he refused,”

“Chika said he would not leave without Father releasing the boy. In anger, Father brought a cane and started flogging him to leave his compound. Immediately Father used the cane on him, he collected it and broke it into pieces, before Chika and his other brothers who were around, started beating the priest mercilessly,” the source said.

It was further learnt that after the incident, the Father who could not bear the assault, left the community, and is currently at Bishop’s quarters in Abakaliki, where he is also receiving treatment.