Nigeria: Catholic priest kidnapped in Kaduna

By Benedict Mayaki

A Nigerian priest, Rev. Fr. Abraham Kunat, was kidnapped on Tuesday in the Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, northern Nigeria.

A statement signed by the chancellor for the Archdiocese of Kaduna, Father Christian Okewu Emmanuel, said Fr. Kunat was abducted at 12:30 am from St. Mulumba, Kurmin Sara, where he had been residing due to the insecurity situation in the area.

Fr. Kunat has been serving as the parish priest of St. Bernard parish, Idon Gida.

The chancellor solicits the prayers and support of the Christian faithful as well as all men and women of goodwill that “God almighty will take control of the situation, preserve our priest and bring him back to us in one piece.”

Abductions 

Nigeria has been facing the challenge of dealing with bandits and armed persons who kidnap citizens, mostly for ransom, but sometimes kill their abductees.

This latest abduction of Fr. Kunat in one in a series of kidnappings of members of the clergy or religious in Africa’s most populous country.

The last such reported abduction of a priest was on 16 October, when the Archdiocese of Onitsha requested prayers for the safe and unconditional release of Fr. Joseph Igweagu who was kidnapped on 12 October as he was returning to his parish residence after celebrating a Funeral Vigil Mass in Umunachi, Anambra State.