Gunmen abduct two catholic priests in Niger

In Gyedna, Tafa local government area of Niger, two Catholic priests, Father Paul Sanogo and Seminarian Melchior, were reportedly abducted by gunmen in the early hours of Thursday, August 2023.

The incident occurred when bandits stormed a Catholic church in Gyedna, firing shots in the air, creating panic in the priest’s residence and allowing them to kidnap the victims.

Most Rev. Dr. Martins Igwe Uzoukwu, the Catholic Bishop of Minna, confirmed the abduction in a statement, identifying Father Paul Sanogo and Seminarian Melchior as pastoral workers at the church.

The state Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, stated that the armed kidnappers stormed St. Luke Catholic Church in Gyedna village, Tafa LGA, around 11:30 pm. The church’s location, situated at the outskirts of the town, is surrounded by mountains and forests, close to Kagarko area of Kaduna State.

As the investigation is ongoing, the state police have advised other seminarians in the area to relocate temporarily. The authorities are committed to rescuing the victims and bringing the perpetrators to justice.