AFRICA/NIGERIA - In the north of the country: Another Catholic priest kidnapped and released

Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic priest Jeremiah Yakubu was the victim of another kidnapping in Nigeria, late on Sunday evening, June 11, by gunmen from the rectory of the Holy Trinity Parish in Karku, Kauru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, and was released last night, June 12th.
This was announced by the Chancellor of the diocese of Kafanchan, Msgr. Emmanuel Uchechowe Okolo. "We would like to thank all those who have prayed for the speedy release of our priest and the others who are still in the hands of their kidnappers", said Msgr. Okolo.
Unlike the recent kidnappings of priests that occurred in southern Nigeria (see Fides, 5/6/2023), this recent kidnapping in Kaduna state took place in a Muslim-majority area in the north. However, the fact that a large number of kidnappings by priests in the South occur in Christian-majority areas suggests that most kidnappers are criminally motivated rather than religiously motivated.
Meanwhile, on June 7, also in a southern state, Edo, Father Charles Onomhoale Igechi, a priest of the Archdiocese of Benin City, was assassinated (see Fides, 5/6/2023). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 13/6/2023)

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