By Adesina Soyooye
Christians in Nigeria, and especially, Roman Catholics, are reeling in shock over the report that two young Priests abducted from the Parish House recently, were kidnapped by top ranking members of their Church.
The victims were two Claretian Missionaries, Reverend Fathers Kenneth Kanwa, CMF and Jude Nwachukwu.
They were abducted, according to the initial reports, by “terrorists” from the Parish Rectory in St Vincent De Paul Parish, Fier, Pankshin Diocese, Plateau State.
Nigerians were asked to “In your charity, kindly pray for the safe and speedy release of these Priests and other abducted persons in Nigeria.”
The strong suspicion was that the Priests were kidnapped by “rogue Fulani herdsmen.”
However, the shock came when it turned out that the Priests were abducted by four of their own Parishioners who they work with, and pray with everyday.
The four suspected, and now arrested kidnappers, were Church members, allegedly, led by the Financial Secretary of the Church.
It is not known how, or why the devilish thoughts became their lot. What is obvious, however, is that they kidnapped the young Priests for money.
While the Priests were in their custody, they demanded for the sum of N25m in ransom money.
Said a devastated Parishioner who pleaded anonymity: “That the Financial Secretary of the Church led the criminal gang gives out the why. In his position, he has an idea how much the Parish has, which is why they asked for N25m. This shakes the faith.”
