Emmanuel Silas, a Catholic priest, has been reportedly abducted by gunmen in Zambina, Kauru local government area of Kaduna state.
Silas was kidnapped from the parish rectory on Monday morning, July 4, according to reports, The Cable reports.
Emmanuel Uchechukwu Okolo, chancellor of the Catholic diocese of Kafanchan, while verifying the abduction, in a statement, on Monday, July 4, stated that, “It is with great pain that we announce to you the kidnapping of our priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Silas.
“The event occurred in the early hours of Monday, July 04, 2022, when he could not turn up for morning mass.
“He was abducted from the parish rectory at St. Charles Catholic church, Zambina, in Kauru local government area of Kaduna state.
“We solicit an intense prayer for his quick and safe release, we equally wish to call on all and sundry to refrain from taking the laws into their hands.
“We will use every legitimate means to ensure his quick and safe release.
“May Jesus crucified on the Cross, listen to our prayers and hasten the unconditional release of His Priest and all other kidnapped persons,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Jalige, police spokesperson in Kaduna state, stated that the command is yet to receive the report on the abduction of the priest.
It is worth noting that religious leaders have been routinely targeted by gunmen in the north-western state.
The latest development comes days after gunmen killed Vitus Borogo, the chaplain of the Catholic church in Kaduna Polytechnic.
Similarly, weeks before Borogo was killed, Joseph Bako, another Catholic priest who was abducted in March from his residence at St John Catholic church, Kudenda, Kaduna state, was found dead in April, according to reports.
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