The rising spate of attacks by terrorists and bandits on Christian communities especially the Catholic Church continues, another Catholic Priest, Reverend Father Emmanuel Silas was abducted in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State early hours of Monday.
Father Silas, who is in charge of St. Charles Catholic Church, Zambina in Kauru LGA, was reported missing after he failed to appear for Morning Mass.
This is just as Reverend Father Luigi Brena, an Italian Priest who was abducted along Ogunwenyi, Usen community in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State on Sunday evening has been rescued.
Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, Jennifer Iwegbu, who confirmed the rescue of the 64-year-old Brena in a statement on Monday said three of the suspected kidnappers were shot dead.
Chancellor, Kafanchan Catholic Diocese, Reverend Fathr. Emmanuel Okolo, in a statement on Monday, however urged the Christian community to remain calm as legitimate processes are being exploited to ensure his safe and quick release.
According to Father Okolo, “it is with great pain that we announce to you the kidnapping of our Priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Silas. The sad event is believed to have occurred in the early hours of July 04, 2022, when he could not turn up for morning Mass.
“He was abducted from the parish rectory at St. Charles Catholic Church, Zambina, in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“While we solicit for an intense prayer for his quick and safe release, we equally wish to call on all and sundry to refrain from taking the laws into their hands. We will use every legitimate means to ensure his quick and safe release.”
A day to Father Brena’s abduction, gunmen kidnapped two Catholic Priests around Ehor and Iruekpen communities along the Benin-Auchi Expressway.
The abducted clergymen who are still in captivity include Reverend Father Udo Peter of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Uromi and Reverend Father Philemon Oboh of St. Joseph Retreat Centre, Ugboha in Esan South East Local Government Area (LGA) of the Ondo State.
She explained that Police operatives attached to Iguobazuwa Division were alerted of the incident on Sunday at about 5:45 pm and immediately trailed the suspected kidnappers to their camp.
The Police Command Spokesperson said that on sighting the Police operatives, the suspects opened fire on them after which the Police swiftly responded.
“The superior firepower of the police operatives neutralised three of the kidnappers while the rest escaped into the forest with various degrees of gunshot injuries, abandoning their victim,” she said.
“The victim was immediately rushed to Igbinedion Teaching Hospital, Okada for medical attention. Meanwhile, intensive bush combing is ongoing with the aim of arresting the suspected kidnappers now on the run.”
