PUNCH NEWS
Analysis of media reports and data from a global Catholic charity organisation based in the United Kingdom, Aid to the Church in Need, has revealed that no fewer than 28 Catholic priests were kidnapped in Nigeria in 2022.
During the period, four priests were also reportedly killed.
More cases have been recorded this year.
The PUNCH reports that the most recent attack on Catholic clerics occurred on January 15, 2023, when terrorists in Niger State reportedly set a Catholic priest, Rev. Isaac Achi, on fire.
According to the police, another priest, who was simply identified as Fr. Collins, was also shot during the attack.
On January 14, 2023, a priest in Omu Ekiti, Oye Local Government, South Nigeria, Fr. Michael Olofinlade, was kidnapped.
On December 22, 2022, the chaplain of St. Mary’s Hospital, Fr. Mark Ojotu, was kidnapped along the Okpoga-Ojapo Road, in Benue State, according to a statement by the Diocese of Otukpo.
Similarly, on November 9, 2022, another priest, Rev. Fr. Abraham Kunat, was kidnapped in the Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A statement signed by the Chancellor for the Archdiocese of Kaduna, Fr. Christian Emmanuel, said Kunat was abducted at 12.30am from St. Mulumba, Kurmin Sara, where he had been residing due to the insecurity situation in the area.
In August 2022, gunmen abducted a Catholic priest along Okigwe-Umunneochi Road, between Imo and Abia States.
The priest, Chinedu Nwadike, was abducted alongside a Catholic seminarian, Emmanuel Nwafor, while they were on their way to Enugu State.
The Director of Communication of the Enugu Catholic Diocese, Benjamin Achi, confirmed the incident to newsmen.
Other cases from 2022 include the death of a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Christopher Odia.
The PUNCH reported that Odia was kidnapped on his way to a Sunday mass at St. Michael Catholic Church, Ikabigbo, in the Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
Just a day earlier, on June 25, 2022, gunmen suspected to be terrorists killed a Kaduna State-based Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Vitus Borogo.
Similarly, on July 6, the priest presiding over Holy Ghost Parish, Eke-Olengbeche, Rev. Fr. Peter Amodu, was kidnapped by armed men along Otukpo Ugbokolo Road, Okpokwu Local Government Area, Benue State.
Amodu was abducted on his way to celebrate mass.
