Gunmen abduct two Catholic Priests in Plateau
The Saint Vincent de Paul Fier in Kwande, Shendam Diocese of Plateau State, has been thrown into confusion following the abduction of two Catholic Priests, Frs. Kenneth Kanwa and Jude Nwachukwu.
The Nation learnt that the priests were kidnapped last Thursday by some suspected gunmen who whisked them away before those within the vicinity could notice the incident.
The parish priest, St. John Mary Vianney, Kwande, Shendam Diocese, Fr. Cornelius Nweke, who confirmed the incident on Sunday, urged all Catholics to pray for the release of the priests.
The news of their kidnap has generated tension within the Catholic family but Fr. Nweke urged all parishioners to disregard all rumors and continue to pray for their safe return.
The spokesman of Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alfred Alabo, could not be reached for comment at the time of this report.
In Taraba State, troops of the 6Brigade Nigerian Army rescued four victims of kidnapping during a raid of terrorists’ hideout in Yorro Local Government Area on Saturday.
The rescued victims were identified as Genesis Samuel, 24, Bernard Denis, 28, Esther Titus, 35, and the Emir of Pupulle’s son, Isma’il Umar, 25, who was kidnapped at their residence on January 18.
A statement by the spokesman for the Brigade, Oni Olubodunde, said the troops encountered the bandits on the Gampu hills of Yorro LGA and after an exchange of gun fire, the bandits fled leaving behind their victims.
Olubodunde said: “The swift and decisive operation to flush out bandits and kidnappers disturbing the peace in Yorro LGA and its environs commenced on 2nd February 2024. Troops came in contact with bandits at Gampu hills and Ban Yorro area and exerted superior fire power which made the bandits flee the location leaving behind their abducted victims.
“The operation is still ongoing to ensure that other kidnapped victims who fled the area during the exchange of fire are found and reunited with their loved ones.
Similarly, the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji and the 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army killed several suspected terrorists during ground and air bombardments in Katsina State.
The troops also destroyed terrorists’ hideouts during operations on January 30 in Tora Hills, Safana Local Government Area of the state.
Director Public Relations and Information (DOPRI) of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Vice Marshall (AVM) Edward Gabkwet, revealed this in a statement yesterday.
Gabkwet said the location was first struck by NAF aircraft, after which the ground troops successfully mopped up fleeing terrorists.
He said: “Footages from the Battle Damage Assessment as well as feedback received from other sources revealed that the air strikes significantly degraded the capabilities of the terrorists which then facilitated a hitch free clearance operation by troops of 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army.
“The joint operation did not only result in the neutralisation of several terrorists and destruction of their hideouts on the hill but also offered the ground troops the opportunity to ascend and clear Tsora Hill, which hitherto served as a hiding place for terrorists in the Safana local government area.”
