Abducted Kaduna Catholic Priest Regains Freedom

A Catholic priest kidnapped in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Joseph Shekari, has been released.

Naija News had reported that the priest in charge of St. Monica’s Catholic Church, Pari Parish, was kidnapped by unknown gunmen during an invasion of his residence on Sunday.

The gunmen killed a yet-to-be-identified cook working in the parish house during the attack and carted away N2 million realised from a thanksgiving service.

Confirming the release of the priest in a statement on Tuesday, the Chancellor, Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Uchechukwu Okolo, said the priest was released around 10:30pm on Monday.

Okolo prayed for the repose of the soul of the cook who was killed during the attack and appreciated those who have offered prayers and entreaties for the release of the priest.

The statement read, “With hearts filled with joy, we raise our voices in a symphony of praises as we announce the return of our brother, Rev. Fr. Joseph Danjuma Shekari, who was abducted by armed persons from the Rectory at St. Monica’s Catholic Church Ikulu in Kauru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, on Sunday, February 6, 2022.

“Fr. Shekari was released around 10.30pm on Monday February 7, 2022.

“As we pray for the repose of the soul of his cook who was killed during the attack, we want to thank all those who have offered prayers and entreaties for his release.

“We pray God to hasten the release of those who are still in the hands of their captors.

“All our Priests are directed to kindly celebrate Mass of Thanksgiving to God for the quick release of Fr. Shekari as well as Mass for the dead and for the departed Cook of Fr. Shekari.”

In other news, the wife of the Vice-Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Gwargwada Ward, Kuje Area Council, Asabe Mohmmed Koriya has been kidnapped by gunmen.

Koriya was kidnapped on Friday at about 5 pm alongside ten others.

A relation of one of the victims identified as Salihu Ibrahim disclosed that they were abducted along Gwargwada-Gwombe junction near the Rubochi community.

According to Ibrahim, the victims were abducted while returning to Gwombe and Pesu villages after attending a political function at the neighbouring Gwargwada village.

He further stated that the kidnappers who were more than 30 in number, barricaded the road with logs of wood, flagged down motorcycles and whisked the victims into the bush.