Spiritual director, Adoration Ministry, Enugu Rev. Fr Ejike Mbaka has been seen after reports he had gone missing.
Mbaka has recently been in the news for criticising the Buhari administration which he had supported since 2015.
In a live video update on Wednesday afternoon by BBC Pidgin, Mbaka was seen in a car with an open roof waving to excited Enugu residents.
He is expected to address a press conference soon.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide had claimed earlier in the day that Mbaka’s whereabouts could not be ascertained.
“We are giving the Federal Government 48 hours to produce the priest, else they should be ready to face Igbo youths. They were dining and wining with him all along and now that he told the truth, they are no longer comfortable with him,” the group said in a statement.
“Let nothing happen to Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka. It will not be in anybody’s interest.”
Mbaka’s followers also gathered at the residence of the Catholic bishop of Enugu Diocese, Bishop Callistus Onaga.
According to the protesters, Mbaka had not been seen since he said he was going to the bishop’s house on Tuesday.
A former presidential aide Reno Omokri, who has been critical of the priest, even tweeted that Mbaka could have been arrested.
“Reverend Father Mbaka has very strong honesty issues that he has to resolve with His Maker. However, I am against any arrest or attempt to infringe on his freedom by the @MBuhari regime. Reports of his arrest by unknown gunmen, if true, are condemned. #FreeMbakaNow!!!” he wrote.
But the Department of State Services said it did not arrest Mbaka.
“He (Mbaka) is not with the DSS, please,” DSS spokesman Peter Afunnaya said.
