NIGERIA (Enugu) –Armed robbers, earlier in the week, invaded St. Theresa’s Catholic Cathedral, Nsukka Enugu State.

It was gathered that the hoodlums allegedly armed with a long gun and three shot pistols sneaked into the Cathedral and made straight to the Bishop’s residence where they cut off window burglaries after tying up three security men hands and legs and locked them up at the Bishop’s Kitchen.

Further report by sources said the armed robbers met Rev. Fr. Eugene Odo, Secretary to the Bishop, and requested him to bring out all the cash in the diocese that have not been lodged in the Bank.

The priest, at gun point, brought out the weeks collection and gave to them, only for it to be rejected by the thieves, who went on to demand for huge amount of money. The Priest allegedly swore to the heaven that the paltry sum was the only available cash at that moment.

Having ransacked all the rooms at the Bishops court without finding any other cash what was given to them, they resorted to property by taken the diocesan laptop which contains activities and history of the diocese, coupled with Rev.Fr. Eugene Odo’s private laptop, one Ipad, palm top and his two hand sets, before ordering him to take them to the residence of Rev. Fr. Igwebueze, Principal, St. Theresa’s College (STC) Nsukka.

Rev. Fr. Eugene Odo, while explaining the traumatic experience which he described as the most horrified he ever had as a priest,  said that he was fast asleep when the robbers entered the house as he worked late into the night.

“When the four armed robbers met me and requested me to give them money, I only pointed to the paltry amount available at the moment but they were not satisfied and ransacked the entire place without any other cash found.

“They took the Diocesan laptop, my two handsets, I pad palm top, wrist watches, digital camera and video camera.

“What pained me most was my computer solar bag which serves as a generator. I bought the solar bag in Italy at the cost 200 euros.

“I pleaded with the robbers not to take the diocesan laptop but they questioned whether I was aware that they are armed robbers? I said yes I know but at least for the sake of God they should drop the diocesan laptop, a plea the robbers never obliged me.

“After much harassment, the robbers ordered me to lead them to the residence of the Principal of STC, an order I equally turned down as they would lead me out and kill me.

“It was at this juncture they asked me to say my last prayer while one of them pulled his trigger to fire me but the alleged leader the four men gang asked him not to shoot.

“They questioned whether I made any phone call across to the police? I replied I did not know when they entered the compound, not to talk of reaching out to the police as I was alone in the Bishop’s residence. 

“Bishop Emeritus Rt. Rv. DR. Francis Okobo has moved to his retirement home and the new Bishop, Rt. Rev. Prof. Godfrey Onah has not packed in to the Bishop’s court due to some renovation works on going at the residence.

“After several hours when the robbers found out that there were no other cash, they called me idiot and took me to the Bishop’s kitchen, unlocked the kitchen and brought the three security man attached to St. Theresa’s College (STC) Nsukka and forced them to lead them to the   principal’s residence and left me alone to my own mercy.

They also took the principal’s laptop and an undisclosed amount of money with other valuables despites the ill health condition of the Rev.Fr. Igwebueze.

According to Fr. Odoh, both he and Fr Igwebueze next morning then lodged the incident at both Nsukka police Area Command and the urban police division, Nsukka, adding that both the Area Commander, Ros-Armson Haladu (ACD) and the team stormed the scene of the incident and took inventory of damages and items stolen.

Meanwhile, the Area Commander, Ros-Armson Haladu (ACP) has assured to track down the robbers that invaded the Bishop’s residence, adding he moved into action by drafting fierce detectives to unveil the circumstances surrounding the incident at the Bishop’s residence and track down the alleged fleeing robbers to face the wrath of law.