Gunmen Invade Kukah’s Parish, Kidnap Priests

Gunmen on Wednesday morning invaded one of the parishes presided over by Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan-Kukah.

The Nation learnt the gunmen kidnapped two priests and two others in the rectory of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Gidan Maikambo, located in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Bishop Kukah’s Sokoto Diocese covers Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi States.

The Director, Social Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Rev. Fr Christopher Omotosho, confirmed the development to reporters on Wednesday morning.

He said the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto is under attack and no information has been received on whereabouts of the abductees.

Omotosho said: “As at midnight of today, 25th May, 2022, gunmen broke into the rectory of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Gidan Maikambo, Kafur LGA of Katsina State.

“The parish priest and his assistant Rev. Frs. Stephen Ojapa, MSP, and Oliver Okpara and two boys in the house were kidnapped.

“No information as to their whereabouts. Kindly pray for their safety and release.”

It was reported on May 14, rampaging hoodlums torched and vandalised some parishes presided over by Kukah in Sokoto over his condemnation of the gruesome murder of Deborah Yakubu by her Muslim colleagues.

The 200-level Home Economics student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto was murdered and burnt after being accused of blasphemy against Prophet Muhammed.