Two Catholic Priests Abducted By Unknown Gunmen In Niger

Two Catholic Priests, Father Paul Sanogo and Seminarian Melchior have allegedly been kidnapped by gunmen in Gyedna, Tafa local government area of Niger.

It was gathered the incident occurred early hours of Thursday, August 2023.

Reports said bandits stormed a Catholic church in Gyedna, shooting sporadically in the air which created panic in the priest’s residence, giving way for the kidnap of the victims.

The Catholic Bishop of Minna, Most Rev. Dr. Martins Igwe Uzoukwu in a statement confirmed the kidnap, saying Father Paul Sanogo and Seminarian Melchior are pastoral workers at the church at Gyedna

In the letter titled,” A Call to Prayers for Father Paul Sanogo and Seminarian Melchior’, he requested prayers for the two priests abducted in the early hour of the day for their safe return.

Also, the state Police Command in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, PRO, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said at about 11:30pm last night, suspected armed kidnappers stormed St. Luke Catholic Church at Gyedna village, Tafa LGA and abducted the two Catholic priests.

According to him,” when the incident was reported, the police tactical teams led by DPO Tafa Div were dispatched to the scene. However, the location of the church was discovered to be at the outskirt of the town, which is about an hour’s drive from Sabon-Wuse, and surrounded by mountains and forests, close to Kagarko area of Kaduna State”.

He, however, stated that other seminarians in the area have been advised to relocate temporarily while an investigation into the incident is ongoing with a view to rescuing the victims and arresting the perpetrators of the crime.