Shortly after the priests had arrived at the rectory of Christ the King Catholic Church, Yadin Garu in the Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State in order to complete an assignment, they were abducted by unknown individuals.

Two priests, Donatus Sulaiman and John Chietnum, have been taken hostage, according to a statement released by the Catholic Church.

On Friday, they were taken hostage in the state of Kaduna.

According to a statement released by the counsellor of the Kafanchan diocese, Emmanuel Okolo, the priests were abducted at 5:15 p.m. at the rectory of Christ the King Catholic Church, Yadin Garu, which is located in the Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The priests had arrived at the location on an assignment.

Mr. Okolo has issued an appeal for the faithful of the Catholic Church and all Nigerians who have good intentions to pray fervently for the safe release of the abducted priests. In addition to that, he issued an appeal to “everyone and everybody” to desist from taking the law into their own hands.

Kidnapping for ransom has slowly become a problem in Nigeria, and Catholic priests are usually among those who fall victim to the heinous crime. This problem is particularly prevalent in the states of Kaduna and Edo.

Udo Peter and Philemon Uboh were both kidnapped in Edo State on July 2, while Luigi Brena, an Italian priest, was also kidnapped on July 3 in Edo State. Finally, Emmanuel Silas was kidnapped in Kaduna on July 4, according to the Catholic Church, which confirmed the kidnapping of at least four priests between July 2 and July 4.

Once some time had passed, the priests were reportedly freed by their kidnappers after the ransom had been paid.

However, according to reports from PREMIUM TIMES, two Catholic priests who had been abducted in the states of Kaduna and Edo were both murdered by their captors in late June.