Kidnappers kill Catholic priest, abduct 32 others in Niger State

 

The Catholic Priest of the Diocese of Minna, Niger state, Rev Father John Gbakaan Yaji, who was reportedly kidnapped, has been killed by his abductors.

Daily Trust reports that the incident happened on Friday night, in Tufa village, along Lambata-Lapai road of the state.

The late cleric, according to a source, was said to be on his way from Lambata, where he had attended a religious meeting along with his colleagues, but was kidnapped and killed while returning to his station.

It was also learnt that the Catholic priest was kidnapped alongside his younger brother whose whereabouts was not known yet, as of the time of this report.

Spokesman of Niger State Police Command, ASP Wasiu Abiodun, was not available to confirm the report, but a Reverend of the Catholic Diocese who preferred anonymity confirmed the story.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 12 people have also been kidnapped by bandits in three communities in Bassa/Kukoki ward of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

READ: How Enugu Catholic priest was murdered by suspected Fulani herdsmen

They were kidnapped on Saturday night in Madagwa, Wongo and Marenje communities.

It was learnt that the bandits stormed the town at different times on Saturday night. Five persons were said to have been abducted from Wongo and Marenje communities while about seven people were abducted from Madagwa.

The co-convener, Concerned Shiroro Youths, Sani Abubakar Yusuf Kokki, confirmed the abduction, saying the whereabouts of the victims remain unknown.

He described the abductions as disheartening and unfortunate, saying “it is unfair that the locals have been left to their fate.”

Kokki lamented that kidnappings and other related criminal activities have become the order of the day in the entire Rafi and Shiroro Local Governments areas of Niger State.

Also, about 20 other people, who were on their way to Madaka market, were said to have been kidnapped by the bandits from Duguru in Madaka Ward of Rafi Local Government Area, Niger State on Thursday.