Two weeks after being abducted, a Catholic priest in Zamfara was set free

Mikah Suleiman, the parish priest of St. Raymond Catholic Church in Damba, Gusau, Zamfara State, has been set free from the bandits who abducted him two weeks prior.

On Sunday, July 7, 2024, Pascal Salifu, the director of communications for the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, made the announcement of Suleiman’s release public.

“We are overjoyed to announce the safe release of Fr. Mikah Suleiman, who was kidnapped on June 22, 2024,” the message said.

We sincerely thank God for His protection and all of the people who prayed and offered support throughout this trying period.

“Our thanks also go to the authorities and all involved in securing Fr Mikah’s release. He is currently receiving the necessary care and support.”

Salifu urged people to “continue to keep him in your prayers as he begins his recovery.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Yazid Abubakar confirmed the priest’s abduction on Saturday, saying, “Yes, the incident happened early hour of today, the Reverend Father was kidnapped in his residence. We were not informed when the incident happened but what I gathered was that the man stays alone not in the church.

“We have deployed our tactical squad to go after the kidnappers with the aim of rescuing the victim unhurt.”

More so, the acting Chancellor of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Nuhu Iliya had urged the Christian faithful to pray for the “quick and safe release” of the priest.

“We equally commend him to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his abductors,” Iliya said.

Gabriel Ukeh, the parish priest of St. Thomas Parish in Zaman Dabo Community, Zango Kataf Local Government Area, Kaduna State, was kidnapped by robbers at the beginning of June 2024.

Early on Sunday morning, the rectory was the scene of the kidnapping of the parish priest.

This was revealed on Sunday by Vicar General (Pastoral), Emmanuel Kazah, in a press release that PUNCH Metro was able to receive.