Minna, 24 August, 2023 / 9:56 pm (ACI Africa).
The Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers/M.Afr) have announced the release of two of their members who were kidnapped from a Nigerian Diocese on August 2, noting that the two are in good health despite their “traumatizing experience”.
Fr. Paul Sanogo from Mali and Seminarian Melchior Mahinini from Tanzania have been missing for three weeks after they were taken from Nigeria’s Diocese of Minna where they were involved in pastoral work.
Announcing the release on Wednesday, August 23, Fr. Pam Dennis, the Provincial Superior of White Fathers in Ghana and Nigeria said that the freedom of the two is all thanks to the prayers offered during their captivity.
“It is with great joy that I inform you about the regained freedom of my two brothers today the 23rd of August 2023, Fr Paul Sanogo from Mali and brother Melchior Mahinini from Tanzania, who were kidnapped on Wednesday the 2nd of August 2023 at night in our community in Gyedna, Minna Diocese, Niger State, Nigeria,” Fr. Pam said.
He added, “They are both fine, alive and healthy despite the traumatizing experience they went through in the hands of their abductors during their time of captivity for the last 3 weeks.”