Mopti, 22 June, 2021 / 8:00 pm (ACI Africa).
A Catholic Priest serving in Mali’s Mopti Diocese is among five people who were reportedly abducted Monday, June 21 morning by gunmen, a Cleric in the West African nation has confirmed.
“The group disappeared on Monday while travelling from Ségué in the centre of the country, to the funeral of Fr. Oscar Thera in the town of San,” Fr. Alexis Dembélé has been quoted as saying Tuesday, June 22.
“We have confirmation that it was a kidnapping by armed men. It is a great concern for the Catholic community in Mali,” Fr. Dembélé has said, and explained, “The poor road network requires one to go up north and then back down to the south to the town of San.”
The group, including the Parish Priest of Ségué, was abducted about 30 kilometres North of Ségué in the vicinity of Ouo, the Catholic Cleric has further said, providing the identity of those kidnapped.
“The group was made up of Fr. Léon Douyon, the Parish Priest of Ségué, Thimothé Somboro, the village chief of Ségué, Pascal Somboro, deputy mayor, and two other members of the community, Emmanuel Somboro and Boutié Tolofoudié,” Fr. Dembélé has said.