Anxiety Grows Over Disappearance of Retired Anglican Archbishop in Anambra

Archbishop Okpala

The unexplained disappearance of retired Archbishop of the Niger Province and Bishop of Nnewi, Most Rev. Godwin Okpala, has sparked anxiety and deep concerns among residents of Anambra State. Okpala, aged 75, along with his driver, went missing on Friday, December 6, while traveling to Umuchu in Aguata Local Government Area.

Reports indicate that the cleric embarked on a journey that fateful day but failed to arrive at his destination. Since then, efforts to establish contact with him or his driver have proved futile. Their vehicle’s location also remains unknown, heightening fears across the diocese and the state.

The Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Ndubuisi Obi, confirmed the unsettling incident, urging the faithful to seek divine intervention through prayers. Addressing the public, Obi noted that the matter had been escalated to law enforcement agencies, though conflicting reports have emerged regarding whether the police have officially received the case.

Despite the church maintaining silence on official updates, tension has escalated within religious and community circles. Residents and stakeholders have described the incident as a symbol of worsening insecurity in the region, prompting calls for urgent intervention.

A coalition of non-indigenous elders and stakeholders in Anambra, led by Chairman Alhaji Abubakar Sani and Secretary Chief Adebayo Adewusi, criticized the state government for its perceived failure to address growing security challenges. Speaking after a meeting in Onitsha, the group lamented that prominent areas, once considered safe, had now fallen prey to criminal activities.

“Insecurity has escalated in Anambra, and no one is safe—not even revered religious leaders. The abduction of the retired archbishop in broad daylight underscores this crisis,” said Sani. “We demand swift action from Governor Chukwuma Soludo to restore peace and security across critical areas of the state.”

The incident has also intensified pressure on local authorities to improve surveillance and law enforcement responses. While no ransom demands or communication from possible abductors have emerged, stakeholders insist that security operatives must act decisively to ensure the safe return of the cleric and his driver.

Calls for collaborative efforts to tackle kidnapping in the region have grown louder, with community leaders emphasizing that incidents like this undermine public trust and safety.

For now, residents remain on edge as the search for Archbishop Okpala continues, with prayers and appeals echoing across religious and civic spaces.