Fresh tension as gunmen kidnap another Catholic priest, police take action

• Kidnapping of pastors has become the new normal for some suspected bandits in top northern state
• According to reports making the rounds on Saturday, Revd. Fr. Mikah Suleiman, the parish priest of St. Raymond Catholic Church Damba, Gusau, was abducted by bandits at his home
• The Zamfara state police command confirmed the development to the press via a statement and disclosed its next action

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Tension is allegedly brewing in Zamfara state as suspected bandits have kidnapped the parish priest of St. Raymond Catholic Church Damba, Gusau, the state capital, Revd. Fr. Mikah Suleiman.

Police take action as bandits kidnap Catholic priest in Zamfara. Image for illustration. Photo credit: Nigeria Police Force
Source: Facebook

Police: Catholic priest was kidnapped from his residence

The spokesperson of Zamfara state police command, Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the development and disclosed that Father Mikah was kidnapped on Saturday, June 22, at his residence in the Damba area of Gusau.

Speaking further, he noted that the incident was not reported to the police, but the command has deployed a police tactical squad to the trail of the kidnappers and to ensure his safe return, Channels TV reported.

“Yes, the incident happened early hour of today, the Reverend Father was kidnapped in his residence, we were not informed when the incident happened but what I gathered was that the man stays alone not in the church,” he said.

Acting chancellor prayed for the safe rescue of the priest

The acting Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Very. Revd. Fr. Nuhu Iliya in a statement on Saturday confirmed the abduction.

As reported by The Cable, Iliya called on the public to pray for the swift and safe return of Suleiman.

“With sadness in our hearts, we write to inform the general public of the kidnap of one of our priests, Revd. Fr. Mikah Suleiman,” the statement reads.“We invite all Christ’s faithful and all men and women of goodwill to earnestly pray for his quick and safe release.

Gunmen kidnap Anambra Catholic priest

In a related development, Legit.ng earlier reported gunmen kidnapped Basil Chukwuemeka, a Catholic priest in Anambra state, south-east Nigeria.

The man of God was abducted on Wednesday, May 15, at Eke Nkpor by Obosi Bypass in Idemili North local government area of the state.

In a statement on Thursday, the police spokesperson in Anambra state, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the commissioner of police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, addressed the Catholic priests during their meeting in Onitsha. He added that the Force had launched a manhunt for the abductors and possible rescue of Fr. Gbuzue

Source: Legit.ng