He adds, “During this challenging and distressing time, we humbly seek your prayers for the safety and swift release of these two dedicated Priests from their captors.”
“We place our hope and trust in the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, to guide them back to safety,” Bishop Mamza says, and implores, “Please join us in solidarity through prayers and support as we unite in our efforts for the safe return of Fr. Matthew David Dutsemi and Fr. Abrahim Saummam.”
The latest abduction of Fr. Dutsemi, a member of the Clergy of Yola Diocese, and Fr. Saummam of Nigeria’s Jalingo Catholic Diocese follows a series of other kidnappings that have targeted Priests in Africa’s most populous nation.
On February 6, Fr. Cornelius Manzak Damulak, a member of the Clergy of the Catholic Diocese of Shendam and student at Veritas University Abuja in Nigeria was abducted and later escaped from captivity.
Most recently, on February 19, Fr. Moses Gyang Jah of St. Mary Maijuju Parish of Shendam Diocese, was abducted alongside his niece and the Parish Council Chairman, Mr. Nyam Ajiji. The Parish Council Chairman was reportedly killed. Fr. Jah and his niece are yet to be freed.
Nigeria has been experiencing insecurity since 2009 when Boko Haram insurgency began with the aim of turning the country into an Islamic state.
Since then, the group, one of the largest Islamist groups in Africa, has been orchestrating indiscriminate terrorist attacks on various targets, including religious and political groups as well as civilians.
The insecurity situation in the country has further been complicated by the involvement of the predominantly Muslim Fulani herdsmen, also referred to as the Fulani Militia.
Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.
