Gunmen kidnap 2 Catholic priests in Kaduna
Suspected terrorists on Friday evening abducted two Catholic priests in Kaduna State.
Emmanuel Okolo, the Chancellor of Kafanchan Catholic Diocese, made this known on Friday night in a statement.
He gave the names of the kidnapped priests as John Cheitnum and Donatus Cleopas.
Okala disclosed that they were abducted at Gure Parish of Lere Local Government Area of the state.
He said the duo were kidnapped shortly after they arrived at the parısh rectory of Christ the King Catholic Church in Yadin Garu, Lere LGA.
The statement reads: “It is with great pain that we announce to you the kidnapping of two of our priests; Rev. Frs. John Mark Cheitnum and Donatus Cleopas.
“The sad event of their abduction occurred around 5.45 p.m. of July 15, 2022, shortly after the two priests who were on their way to a function at a different parish (Gure), arrived at the parısh rectory of Christ the King Catholic Church, Yadin Garu, in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“As we solicit an intense prayer for their quick and safe release, we equally wish to call on all and sundry to refrain from taking the laws into their hands.”
Periscope International reports that no fewer than six Catholic priests have been abducted across Nigeria in the past couple of weeks.
The Kaduna incident occurred barely eight days after two Catholic priests in Edo, Rev. Fr. Peter Udo and Rev. Fr. Philemon Oboh, who were earlier kidnapped,regained their freedom.
