Tragedy as Catholic Priest abducted in Niger

Terrorists have abducted Catholic Priest Fr Paul Sanogo and Seminarian Melchior from St Luke’s Catholic Church Gyedna in the Paikoro local government area of Niger State.

It was learnt the abductees, pastoral workers serving at the Catholic Church, were abducted from the Parish residence on Thursday morning.

The Catholic Bishop of Minna, Most Reverend Martins Igwe Uzoukwu confirmed the abduction in a memo sent to all parishes across Niger state calling on the Catholic body to pray for the abductees.

“On behalf of my Auxiliary Most Rev Sylvester Luka Gopep, the Priests and Religious of the Catholic Diocese of Minna. I request your prayers for Fr Paul Sanogo (M.Afr) and Seminarian Melchior who were kidnapped by bandits in the early hours of August 3, 2023 at the priest’s residence at Gyedna, Niger State,” the memo read.

The Catholic Bishop prayed the abductees are brought back in peace and unharmed.

Efforts to get the reaction of Niger Police Command were not possible as DSP Abiodun Wasiu kept rejecting his calls.