CAN Chairman in Plateau state abducted by gunmen

Rev James Kantoma, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the Angware community in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State, has been kidnapped by gunmen.

It was gathered that Kantoma who is the Catholic priest in charge of St Anthony’s Parish, was abducted at his house in the community by the gunmen on Sunday night.

A resident of Angware community, Silas Joshua, confirmed the cleric’s abduction, he said, “When the gunmen arrived the community at night, they moved straight to the house of the Reverend Father.

“Some youths in the area, who were alerted, tried to stop and even gave them a hot chase into the bush but the gunmen started shooting everywhere  and eventually took the Reverend Father  away.”

The  State Chairman of CAN, Polycarp Lubo, describing the incident as sad said, “Since the gunmen took the Reverend Father away, we have not heard anything either from him or the abductors up till this morning. This is so sad. But we are praying for him that no harm will befall him wherever he is. But for how long shall innocent citizens continue to be kidnapped or abducted without anything being done to address the problem?”

The Police Public Relations Officer of the State Command, Alabo Alfred, when contacted, said that the Command was aware of the incident and had deployed officers and men from the anti-kidnapping unit to the community.

“Our men are already working to ensure that the cleric regains his freedom and apprehend those behind the abduction,” the PPRO added.