Another priest abducted in Nigeria

Father Gabriel Ukeh is the sixth priest to be kidnapped in Nigeria this year. The other five were all released unharmed.

Unknown assailants kidnapped a Catholic priest from his parish in Kaduna State, Nigeria on Sunday, June 9.

Father Gabriel Ukeh was taken from the rectory at St. Thomas’s Parish in the early hours of the morning, according to a statement released by Father Emmanuel Faweh Kazah, vicar general of the Kafanchan Diocese.

A parish house burned down by gunmen

In a statement sent to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Father Kazah asked for prayers for Father Ukeh’s “urgent and safe release” and condemned the “incessant kidnappings for ransom of innocent and defenseless citizens.”

He also called on the government to improve its security intelligence.

Father Kazah added: “As we work with security operatives for his quick release, we ask that people refrain from taking the law into their own hands. We will use all legitimate means to ensure that [Father Ukeh] comes back to us safe and sound.”

The statement concluded: “Through the intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of priests and religious, may Jesus the crucified hear our prayers and hasten the unconditional release of his priest and [all] other abducted persons.”

The diocese has not released any details about the abductors’ identities.