Gunmen have abducted a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Ibrahim Amos, in the early hours of Thursday from his residence in Kurmin Risga, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The attackers reportedly struck around 12:15 a.m., forcibly taking the cleric who serves as the Parish Priest of St. Gerald Quasi Parish to an undisclosed location. The raid left residents in panic as the armed men operated under the cover of darkness.
Confirming the incident, the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan issued a statement signed by its Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Jacob Shanet.
“With profound sorrow, we write to announce that Rev. Fr. Ibrahim Amos was abducted from his residence,” the statement read.
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The Diocese called for collective prayers for the priest’s safe return and urged the public to remain calm.
“We invite the general public to avoid taking the law into their own hands,” the statement continued. “We will use every legitimate and available means to ensure that Rev. Fr. Ibrahim Amos returns to us unharmed and in good health.”
As of the time of this report, security agencies are yet to release an official response to the abduction.
Kaduna has witnessed a series of attacks and abductions in recent years, with religious leaders increasingly becoming targets of criminal elements operating in the region.