Catholic priest, catechist’s wife abducted in Kaduna

Anthony Dawah, a Catholic priest, his cook, a catechist’s wife, and an unspecified number of people have reportedly been abducted by bandits in Kushe Makaranta village, Kagarko LGA of Kaduna state.

The incident was said to have occurred at about 2am on Tuesday when the bandits invaded the community.

The abduction comes barely four days after eight members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) were kidnapped by gunmen on Friday along the Kaduna-Kachia road.

Joseph Hayab, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state, confirmed the incident to TheCable.

“Reverend Father Dawah was kidnapped in the early hours of the day (Tuesday), around 2am, along with his cook, the  catechist’s wife, and some other people around,” Hayab said.

“The abducted Catholic priest was supposed to have come to Kaduna town from Kagarko, but he said he had a mass this morning and promised to come after the mass.

“That mass could not be conducted as he was kidnapped.”

Hayab said another kidnapping incident occurred on Sunday in the area, adding that “the Catholic church in Kachia will come up with details”.

“The clergyman is still with the bandits now, and they have not called back to give details of the whereabouts of the priest and others who were kidnapped,” he added.

Muhammad Jalige, spokesman of the Kaduna police command, did not respond to telephone calls when contacted.

Earlier, TheCable reported that the state police rescued eight travellers abducted in Galidamawa Kidandan, Giwa LGA of the state.

Jalige had said they were rescued after police operatives intercepted some bandits during a routine patrol on Monday.

Meanwhile, another Catholic priest, Ferdinand Ngugban, was shot dead in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue state, on Tuesday.

Ngugban was reportedly attacked on the church premises.

Catherine Anne, police public relations officer of the state command, confirmed the incident.

“Attack on St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Aye-Twar village, Agu centre in Kastina-Ala LGA, by bandits is confirmed. Rev. Fr. Nguban Fanen lost his life during the attack,” she said.

She added that the deceased’s corpse has been deposited at the General Hospital in Kastsina-Ala, while a joint operation involving the police and other security agencies are on the trail of the hoodlums.