Shock in Kaduna: Catholic Priest Abducted, Community Appeals for Safe Return

The Catholic community in Kaduna has been thrown into panic after Reverend Father Emmanuel Ezema of the Zaria Diocese was abducted by unknown gunmen late Tuesday night.

The Diocese of Zaria confirmed the kidnapping in an official statement signed by Diocesan Chancellor Rev. Fr. Isek Augustine, revealing that Fr. Ezema was taken around 11:30 pm from his residence at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Rumi. The abduction has sent shockwaves across the parish and the wider Christian community.

“We regret to officially announce the abduction of our priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ezema… We call on all men and women of goodwill to pray for his safe and quick release,” the Diocese said, invoking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for his safe return.

The incident comes amid a spike in insecurity across Nigeria, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently declaring a state of emergency on security. Clergy have increasingly become targets, and Fr. Ezema’s kidnapping has renewed concerns over the safety of religious institutions in the country.