There was drama in Enugu State yesterday following the absence and reappearance of the spiritual director of Adoration Ministry, Rev. Ejike Mbaka.
He had been scheduled to attend his usual morning prayer session, but did not show up. It was reportedly announced at the Adoration Ground that Mbaka went to see the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga.
Members were told that Onaga asked Mbaka to come to his house and that he had not returned since. The members then proceeded to the Bishop’s residence, but were told that Onaga was not in. Amid the protest, some irate youths vandalised Onaga’s residence.
The youths, suspected to be members of the Adoration Ministry and numbering over 1,000, accused the bishop of masterminding Mbaka’s arrest.
Worshippers and other residents soon took to the streets following the rumour that Mbaka had been arrested. They waved leaves and tree branches as they chanted solidarity songs on major roads.
Some claimed he must have been arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS), following his spat with the Presidency.
The fiery Catholic priest reappeared a few hours later as he was driven to the protesters in a Toyota RAV4.
He was seen in a video clip in an open roof car waving at the members who surrounded him, accompanied by policemen.
More people trooped out to jubilate over his return.
The priest arrived at the Catholic Bishop’s residence in a motorcade amidst shouts of joy from his Adoration faithful around 2.45 pm.
He stopped in front of the Bishop’s Court and addressed his church members.
The priest urged them to remain calm and return to the Adoration Ground for further information.
Mbaka hinted that he was held against his will and that their protest may have aided his return.
It could not be immediately confirmed where Mbaka went to.
In a video clip shared online, Mbaka said: “I’ve not been around since yesterday.
“I don’t know what I did. To tell you the truth, if not for what you did (the protests), I would not know what would have happened to me.
“May God be with you. I have no problem with the church. I don’t have any problem with the Catholic Church or with any church. I’m just a servant of God. I’m just an instrument of the divine.
“Nobody will stop me from doing the charity I am doing. May God protect you for me. You went for prayer and from there you went to protest like sheep without a shepherd. It hurt me that I had this sort of problem.”
