Two more priests were kidnapped in Nigeria, as Christian persecution continues in a country that is also experiencing exponential growth in Catholicism.

Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, of Izombe, southeastern Nigeria, was taken captive on Sunday, March 23, on his way to the Priests’ Annual Retreat.

On the same day, a joint security team consisting of police, army, civil defense, and vigilante groups succeeded in securing the release of Fr. Stephen Echezona, who had been kidnapped earlier in the day.

Fr. Echezona was abducted while refueling his car at a petrol station in Ichida, southern Nigeria.

He was released unharmed after a security team engaged the armed criminals in a gunfight, and successfully overpowered them.