Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan Sends out Prayer Appeal for Priest Abducted from Parish Rectory

He continued, “As we work with security operatives for his quick release, we wish to call on all to stay away from taking the laws into their hands.”

Fr. Kazakh said, “We will use every legitimate means to ensure that Father comes back to us safe and sound.” 

“Through the intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Priests and Religious, may Jesus the crucified hearken to our prayers and hasten the unconditional release of His Priest and every other abducted persons,” the Chancellor implored.

Nigeria has been battling with a surge of violence orchestrated by gangs, whose members carry out indiscriminate attacks, kidnapping for ransom, and in some cases, killing.

Boko Haram insurgency has been a major challenge in the country since 2009, a group that allegedly aims to turn Africa's most populous nation into an Islamic nation.

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The latest abduction of Fr. Ukeh follows a series of other kidnappings that have targeted members of the Clergy in Africa’s most populous nation.

Fr. Oliver Buba, a Catholic Priest of the Diocese of Yola was abducted on May 21 in the Catholic Diocese and later released.

On May 15, the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha announced the abduction of Fr. Basil Gbuzuo. He was later set free. 

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.