All Three Seminarians Abducted from Nigerian Major Seminary Freed

In his statement announcing the release of the three Seminarians belonging to the Apostles of Divine Charity and the Little Sons of the Eucharist Congregations, Fr. Okolo expresses gratitude to “all those that have offered prayers and entreaties for the quick release of our Seminarians and Others who are still in the dens of their kidnappers.”

The three seminarians (C) who were released Oct. 13, 2021 by their captors, between Fr. Emmanuel Faweh Kazah, rector of the St Albert Institute, and Fr Jonah Yabanad Stephen, rector of Christ the King Major Seminary./ Aid to the Church in Need International

“We pray to God to hasten the release of those who are still in the hands of their Captors,” Fr. Okolo further says, and appeals to “all our Priests to kindly celebrate Mass of THANKSGIVING to God tomorrow, Thursday 14th October 2021, for the quick and safe release of our Seminarians.”

“May Our Lady of Guadalupe intercede for us and all those that are still in captivity,” the Nigerian Priest implores in his October 13 statement shared with ACI Africa.

Nigeria has been grappling with insecurity since 2009 when the Boko Haram insurgency began targeted attacks with the aim of turning Africa's most populous nation into an Islamic State.

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The situation of insecurity has been further complicated by the involvement of the predominantly Muslim Fulani herdsmen, also referred to as the Fulani Militia, who have been clashing frequently with Christian farmers over grazing land.

The attack on Christ the King Major Seminary is the latest of the attacks that seem to target Church institutions and Clergy in Africa’s most populous nation.

In January 2020, armed men attacked the Good Shepherd Major Seminary within the Archdiocese of Kaduna and abducted four Major Seminarians.

One of the Seminarians, Michael Nnadi, was murdered by the kidnappers reportedly because he could not stop announcing the Christian faith in captivity.

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.