CV NEWS FEED // In a recent incident highlighting the security challenges facing clergy in Nigeria, authorities have arrested Taledo Damian, a Catholic, for the alleged kidnapping of two priests.
Premium Times Nigeria reports that Bishop Stephen Mamza of the Diocese of Yola clarified that while Damian attends church in the diocese, he did not serve in any official capacity as a Mass server or cleric.
PM News Nigeria reports that Fathers Abraham Samman and Mathew David-Dusam, were kidnapped Feb. 21. They were rescued on March 8, and both priests underwent medical evaluations and were found to be in stable condition following their ordeal.
Bishop Mamza emphasized the importance of correcting misinformation regarding the suspect’s role within the church to protect the integrity of its clerics and Mass servers, Premium Times reports.
He stated, “I want to make it absolutely clear that the kidnapper is not a mass server, nor is he a cleric. He is simply a member of the church. There has been a lot of misinformation about his identity, and it is important to correct this.”
Bishop Mamza thanked the Department of State Services (DSS) and local vigilante groups, who were jointly responsible for the rescue. He stated that they worked tirelessly as soon as the news of the kidnapping broke, and were responsible for storming the house where the kidnappers held the priests.
Bishop Mamza also explained how the suspect came into police custody.
“When the kidnapper came to collect ransom, security operatives attempted to apprehend him,” he stated. “He initially escaped but later had an accident with his motorcycle and fled on foot. While attempting to surrender himself to the DSS, he was somehow taken into police custody instead.”
As CatholicVote previously reported, Nigeria is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for Christians, with Christians being kidnapped, raped, and murdered by Islamic terrorists.Most recently, a priest was murdered in Kaduna State on Ash Wednesday just a few hours after he was kidnapped. No suspects have been publicly identified.
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