Gunmen kidnap two priests, others from Kukah’s jurisdiction

A group of armed men on Wednesday attacked a parish under the jurisdiction of bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah.

It was gathered that two priests and two others in the rectory of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Gidan Maikambo, located in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State were taken captive by the gunmen.

Kukah’s Sokoto diocese covers Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states.

This is coming after Kukah condemned the killing of Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto, for alleged blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad.

“As at midnight of today, 25th May, 2022, gunmen broke into the rectory of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Gidan Maikambo, Kafur LGA of Katsina State,” spokesman of Sokoto Catholic diocese Rev. Fr Christopher Omotosho told reporters.

“The parish priest and his assistant Rev. Frs. Stephen Ojapa, MSP, and Oliver Okpara and two boys in the house were kidnapped.

“No information as to their whereabouts. Kindly pray for their safety and release.”

Some churches under Kukah’s jurisdiction were also attacked on May 13 while protesters were calling for the release of two suspects arrested in connection with the lynching of Ms Samuel.