Protesters in the south-eastern Nigerian city of Enugu went into wild jubilation after a popular Catholic priest was seen hours after protests were held over his absence.

Father Mbaka reportedly went missing just days after he called for President Muhammadu Buhari's resignation over rising insecurity in the country in a widely shared video.

While it was not clear where he was coming from, Father Ejike Mbaka emerged to the protesters from a car and acknowledged cheers from the crowd. He promptly re-entered his car without making any comments.

Earlier on Wednesday morning, Father Mbaka's followers had marched in protest to the residence of the Bishop of Enugu Calixtus Valentine Onaga, the priest's superior.

They demanded to see the priest, who had been absent during the weekly Mass at his Adoration Ministry's grounds in Emene area of the city.

His church workers had told faithfuls gathered at his Adoration grounds for the usual weekly prayer meeting that they had not seen him from the time when he had told them he was going to meet the bishop two days earlier.

He is known to be a controversial and popular Catholic priest with strong political views.

He has been in the crosshairs of the government after he took the unusual stance against President Buhari whom he had openly supported in the 2015 and 2019 elections.

The presidency had responded alleging that he changed his position after his request for contracts were turned down. The priest denied the allegations.