Kaduna: Two Catholic Priests Abucted, Friday Evening

By Adesina Soyooye

Two Priests  of the Kafanchan Catholic Diocese, were, in the evening of Friday July 15, 2022, abducted.

The two Priests, Rev. Frs. John Mark Cheitnum and Donatus Cleopas,  were abducted at about 5.45pm, Friday, on arrival at the Parish Rectory of Christ the King Catholic Church, Yadin Garu in Yero Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

In an announcement, the Chancellor of Kafanchan Diocese,  Rev. Fr. Emmanuel  Uchechukwu Okolo,  said:

“It is with great sadness that we announce to you, the kidnapping of two of our Priests,  Rev. Frs. John Mark Cheitnum and Donatus Cleopas.

“The sad event of their abduction occurred  5:45pm, of July 15, 2022, shortly after the two Priests, who were on their way to a different Parish (Gure), arrived at the Parish Rectory of Christ the King Catholic Church, Yadin Garu, in Yere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

“As we solicit for an intense prayer for their quick and safe release, we equally wish to call on all and sundry, to refrain from taking laws into their hands. We will use every legitimate means to ensure their quick and safe release.

“May Jesus, crucified on the Cross, listen to our prayers and hasten the unconditional release of His Priests and all other kidnapped persons.”

In recent weeks, Christian Priests have been targets of abductors. Within the past three weeks, three of them, all of the Roman Catholic Church, were killed by their abductors.