Terrorists struck again in Kaduna, abducting two Catholic Priests
By Emma Ogbuehi
The general state of insecurity in the country, echoed loud again in Kaduna, as terrorists abducted two Catholic Priests in Kaduna Rev. Frs. John Mark Cheitnum and Donatus Cleopas, on Friday, July 15.
A release by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Uchechukwu Okolo, Chancellor, Catholic Diocese of Kafancha, explained that the Priests were on their way to a function at a different parish in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, when they were kidnapped,
It called for intense prayer for their quick and safe release
The statement read:
“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 5.45pm of July 15, 2022, shortly after the two priests, who were on their way to a function at a different parish in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
READ ALSO:
Catholic priests in Niger protest killings of colleagues
We solicit for 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.
We will use every legitimate means to ensure their quick and safe release.
May Jesus crucified on the Cross listen to our prayers and hasten their quick and safe release.”
The latest incident came few days after a priest of the Catholic Church, who was kidnapped by bandits in Kauru local government area of Kaduna State, Reverend Father Emmanuel Silas, managed to escape from his abductors.
He was kidnapped from the parish rectory of Saint Charles Catholic Church, Zambina in Kauru Local Government within the early hours of Monday, July 5.
That was less than two weeks after his colleague in charge of the Kaduna Polytechnic Catholic community, Reverend Father Vitus Borogo was killed on his farm at Kujama in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Saturday, June 25.
Elsewhere, two Catholic priests, Rev. Father Udo of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Uromi, and Rev. Father Philemon Oboh of St. Joseph Retreat Centre, Ugboha in Edo State, were kidnapped on Saturday, July 3.
These are coming on the heels of the Sunday, June 5, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, in which no fewer than 40 worshippers, including children, were killed and others injured on the church premises.
