Early this Sunday morning, bandits abducted Reverend Father Gabriel Ukeh, the parish priest of Saint Thomas Catholic Church in the Zaman Dabo community, located in the Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The abduction occurred under the cover of darkness, adding to a growing list of such incidents in the region. Reverend Father Emmanuel Kazah, the Vicar General of the Kafanchan Catholic Diocese, confirmed the kidnapping in a public statement, appealing for prayers and a peaceful response from the community.
“We solicit fervent prayers for his urgent and safe release,” stated Reverend Kazah. “We equally condemn this act of incessant kidnappings for ransom of innocent and defenseless citizens of our communities, and we call upon the government to enhance its security intelligence, especially as we approach the celebration of Sallah.”
Kazah emphasized the church’s commitment to cooperating with security operatives to ensure the swift release of Father Ukeh. He also urged the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands, stressing the importance of using legitimate means to secure the priest’s freedom.
“Through the intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Priests and Religious, may Jesus the crucified hearken to our prayers and hasten the unconditional release of His Priest and every other abducted person,” Kazah concluded.
The kidnapping of Reverend Father Ukeh shows the ongoing security challenges in Kaduna State, where kidnappings for ransom have become alarmingly frequent. The church’s call for calm and lawful action in securing the release of the Priest.
