Priest kidnapped in Nigeria – Vatican News

By Christopher Wells

The Vicar General of the Diocese of Kafanchan, Nigeria, has denounced the kidnapping of another priest in the region.

“While praying for the safe release of Father Ukeh,” said Father Emmanuel Kazah Faweh, “we condemn the incessant kidnappings for ransom of innocent and defenseless citizens of our parishes.”

Father Gabriel Ukeh was kidnapped by armed men who broke into the rectory of St. Thomas Church in northwest Nigeria in the early hours of Sunday June 9.

Security crisis

Kidnappings are common across Nigeria, with bandits and insurgents taking people captive for hefty ransoms, but also for political or ideological reasons. More than 4,000 kidnappings have taken place since May 2023.

Earlier this year, the Vatican's Dicastery for Evangelization issued a statement denouncing the wave of kidnappings and expressing its “deepest and most sincere solidarity” with the Nigerian people in the face of the crisis.

Call to “increase security”

Following Sunday's kidnapping, Father Faweh urged the government to “step up security” in the run-up to the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha, which takes place this year from June 15-19. Eid al-Adha is the second of the two main religious holidays celebrated by Muslims.

Father Faweh also called on Nigerians not to take the law into their own hands when it comes to bandits. “As we work with the security forces for the rapid release of Father Ukeh, we would like to urge everyone not to take justice into their own hands,” he said, while assuring them: “We will use all legitimate means to ensure that Father Ukeh returns to us safe and sound.

The Vicar General concluded his intervention by praying that, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, not only Father Ukeh but all the prisoners will soon be released.