Unknown gunmen early Wednesday attacked one of the parishes under the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan-Kukah.
It was learnt that the gunmen abducted two priests and two other persons in the rectory of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Gidan Maikambo, Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The Sokoto Diocese covers Catholic parishes in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states.
Director, Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Rev. Fr Christopher Omotosho, confirmed the incident.
Omotosho, who alleged that the Sokoto Diocese is under attack, adding that they had yet to get any information regarding the whereabouts of the abducted persons.
According to him, “As at midnight of today, 25th May, 2022, gunmen broke into the rectory of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Gidan Maikambo, Kafur LGA of Katsina State.
“The parish priest and his assistant Rev. Frs. Stephen Ojapa, MSP, and Oliver Okpara and two boys in the house were kidnapped.
“No information as to their whereabouts. Kindly pray for their safety and release.”
Police in Katsina State have yet to comment on the incident.
Penultimate Saturday, protesting Muslim youths in Sokoto attacked some of the parishes under Kukah following his condemnation of the lynching and burning of Deborah Yakubu by her Muslim colleagues at the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto.
Deborah’s colleagues had accused her of blaspheming Prophet Muhammad.
The protesting youths also set ablaze parts of Kukah’s church buildings and a bus on the premises.