The leader of the Methodist Church in Nigeria, His Eminence Samuel Kanu Echu, was abducted in the southeastern Abia State on Sunday, police confirmed.
The priest was abducted alongside two other clerics.
Abia state police said a manhunt had been organized to rescue the priests.
In Nigeria, the Methodist Church is one of the established evangelical churches.
Separatist groups have been active in the southeastern region where they campaigned for a breakaway state from Nigeria, local media reported.
There has been an upsurge in attacks by armed gangs, including jihadist militant groups, as Nigeria prepares for general elections next year.