Two priests and two young boys have been abducted by gunmen at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Gidan Maikambo in Kafur local government area of Katsina state.
The parish is under the Sokoto Catholic Diocese which is headed by Bishop Matthew Kukah.
The Director of social communications at the Sokoto diocese, Christopher Omotosho confirmed the incident in a message to ait.live He said it occurred in the early hours of Wednesday.
“The parish priest and his assistant were kidnapped”. The kidnapped priests are Reverend Father Stephen Ojapa and Reverend Oliver Okpara.
The gunmen also took away two boys. So far, no contact has been made and the diocese says it is yet to receive any information as to their whereabouts. Omotosho urged parishioners to pray for their safety.
Meanwhile the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN Katsina chapter described the incident as a terrorist attack.
Speaking to ait.live on telephone, the Katsina CAN secretary Musa Peters said the act was committed by terrorists operating in Funtua zone of Katsina state
Peters also confirmed that on Sunday May 22, 2022, Reverend Ibrahim Garba of ECWA church of Gidan Garba in Kafur Local Government Area and two members of the church, were abducted.
He also said a pastor with the Anglican Church in Bakori Local Government Area, Venerable Youhanna was abducted but later released after ransom was paid, while the other abducted clergymen are still in captivity.
When contacted, police spokesman Superintendent Gambo Isah said he has not received any report of such incident but, promised to revert as soon as he verifies the claim.
Editor Paul Akhagbemhe
