Bandits, on Sunday, abducted the presiding priest of St. Thomas Parish, Zaman Dabo Community, in the Zango Kataf Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, Rev. Father Gabriel Ukeh, a statement from the church authorities has said.
Vicar General (Pastoral), Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Kazah, in the press statement, condemned the abduction of the priest, calling on the government to improve on the nation’s security.
The statement read, “While we solicit fervent prayers for his urgent and safe release, we equally condemn this act of incessant kidnappings for ransom of innocent and defenseless citizens of our communities, and we call upon the government to hone its security intelligence as we approach the celebration of Sallah.
“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 Fr. comes back to us safe and sound.
“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 every other abducted person.”
Father Ukeh is the latest Catholic priest to be kidnapped by bandits.
In May 2024, a priest attached to the Catholic Diocese of Yola, Very Rev. Oliver Buba, was abducted by gunmen in Adamawa State.
Buba was abducted at St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Bare community in the Numan Local Government Council of the state. He has since regained his freedom.
Also in May, gunmen kidnapped an Anambra-based priest of the Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Basil Gbuzuo.
Gbuzuo, a Catholic priest of the Units Archdiocese, was said to have been kidnapped at about 8 a.m. along the Eke Nkpor-Obosi Bypass while on a journey.
The development came barely one month after he was listed in a publication as one of the top 10 richest Catholic priests in Nigeria.
Father Gbuzuo eventually regained his release exactly eight days after his kidnap.
