By Attah Ede
Gunmen have abducted Reverend Father Emmanuel Ezema of the Zaria Diocese of the Catholic Church
The clergyman was abducted by gunmen late Tuesday night.
The Diocese of Zaria confirmed the development in an official notice signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Isek Augustine, on Thursday.
The statement stated that, Fr. Ezema was kidnapped around 11:30 pm from his residence at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Rumi in Kaduna State.
Th development has sent shock waves across the parish and the entire Christian community
“We regret to officially announce the abduction of our priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ezema.
“We call on all men and women of goodwill to pray for the safe and quick release of our priest and others from the hands of their abductors,” the Diocese said.
The Church also invoked the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, expressing the hope that the priest would “return to us safe and sound.”
The kidnapping comes at a time when insecurity is once again spiking across Nigeria.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency on security, as criminal attacks, abductions, and violent raids continue to spread across various states.
Fr. Ezema’s abduction adds to the growing list of clergy targeted by armed bandits and terrorists in recent months, raising renewed concerns over the safety of religious institutions in the country.
