Nigeria: Another priest abducted - UPDATE

Source: ACN

Unknown assailants kidnapped a Catholic priest from his parish in Kaduna State, north-west Nigeria yesterday, (Sunday 9th June.

Father Gabriel Ukeh was taken from the rectory at St Thomas's Parish, Zaman Dabo in the early hours, according to a statement released by Father Emmanuel Faweh Kazah, vicar general at Kafanchan Diocese.

In the statement, Fr Kazah asks for prayers for Fr Ukeh's "urgent and safe release" and condemns the "incessant kidnappings for ransom of innocent and defenceless citizens of our communities".

He goes on to "call upon the Government to horn its security intelligence.. As we work with security operatives for his quick release, we wish to call on all to stay away from taking the laws into their hands. We will use every legitimate means to ensure that [Father Ukeh] comes back to us safe and sound."

The statement concludes: "Through the intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Priests and Religious, may Jesus the crucified hearken to our prayers and hasten the unconditional release of his priest and [all] other abducted persons."

The diocese has not released any details about the abductors' identities.

UPDATE:

Fr Okafor Gabriel Tochukwu, director of communications at Kafanchan Diocese wrote in a statement today: "With gratitude to God, we announce the safe release of our brother and priest… Father Ukeh "was happily welcomed home to his parish community at about 9pm, Monday, 10th June 2024. We acknowledge and appreciate the kind and prayerful support of all and sundry who worked round the clock to make this a reality."

Father Ukeh is the sixth priest to have been kidnapped in Nigeria this year.

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