Suspected bandits have kidnapped Revd. Fr. Mikah Suleiman, the parish priest of St. Raymond Catholic Church in Damba, Gusau, Zamfara State.

The spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, Yazid Abubakar, reported that Father Mikah was kidnapped around 3 am on Saturday at his residence in the Damba area of Gusau.

Abubakar noted that the incident was not initially reported to the police, but they have now deployed a tactical squad to track the kidnappers and ensure the priest’s safe return.

“Yes, the incident happened early 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,” Abubakar said. “We have deployed our tactical squad to go after the kidnappers with the aim of rescuing the victim unharmed.”

The acting Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Very. Revd. Fr. Nuhu Iliya, confirmed the abduction in a statement on Saturday.

“With sadness in our hearts, we write to inform the general public of the kidnap of one of our priests, Revd. Fr. Mikah Suleiman. This sad event occurred in the early hours of today, Saturday, 22nd June 2024, in the Father’s rectory. Fr. Mikah is the Parish Priest of St. Raymond Catholic Church Damba, Gusau, Zamfara State,” the statement read.

“We invite all Christ’s faithful and all men and women of goodwill to earnestly pray for his quick and safe release. 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.”