Kidnappers release Kaduna Catholic priest

The priest of a Catholic parish in Kaduna, Rev. Fr. Joseph Danjuma Shekari, who was abducted by bandits on Monday night, has been released.

The bandits had stormed the St. Monica’s Catholic Church, Ikulu Parish, in the Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State and kidnapped the priest at 11:30pm on Monday night.

The bandits also killed of the cook, Sati Musa, a student of the Government Secondary School, Kizakoro, during the attack.

According to an eyewitness, the abductors also made off with the sum of N2m that was realised from a thanksgiving service and other valuables, The Punch reports.

However, in less than 24 hours after the attack, the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan announced the release of the priest by the bandits.

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

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”.