SOKAPU condemns kidnap of two priests, blames Kaduna Govt

The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), on Sunday, condemned the abduction of two Catholic Priests in Kaduna, saying Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, should be blamed for the ‘war’ waged against Priests and Christian communities in Southern Kaduna.

SOKAPU Public Relations Officer, Luka Biniyat who gave the rundown of kidnapped and killed Priests in a statement on Sunday, recalled that on February 6, 2022, a Catholic priest in Kafanchan Diocese, Reverend Father Joseph Shekari was abducted from his residence at Ikulu Fari in Chawai village of Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna.

Biniyat said on March 8, 2022, Reverend Father Joseph Bako pastoral residence of Saint John’s Catholic Church, Kudenda in Chikun LGA, was killed by his abductors after collecting an undisclosed ransom.

He added that on June 25, 2022, Reverend Father Vitus Borogo, also a Catholic priest, was killed on his farm in Kujama by armed bandits.

He said on July 4, 2022, bandits in the early hours of that Monday, abducted Reverend Father Emmanuel Silas of the St. Charles Catholic Church, Zambina, in the Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

On July 15, 2022, two priests: Reverend Father John Cheitnum and Reverend Father Donatus Cleopas were abducted by bandits at Yadin Gura in Lere Local Government, also of Kaduna State.

According to the PRO, the abduction of two Catholic Priests; Rev. Fr John Cheitnum and Rev. Fr Donatus Cleopas, at a function in Lere LGA, came less than a week after the remains of a slain priest, Rev Fr Vitus Borogo, who was killed by terrorists on a farm, was buried in the state capital.

He regretted that the kidnap, killings and demand for ransom from family and relatives of kidnapped Catholic Priests, have become so rampart in the state and called for prayers against the recent attack on the men of God.