By Charles Igwe
Rev. Fr. Micah Suleiman, the parish priest of St. Raymond Catholic Church in Damba, Zamfara State, has made a desperate plea for his life after being abducted by suspected bandits on Saturday, June 22, 2024. In a distressing 51-second video circulating on social media, Fr. Micah, visibly distressed and tied up, begs for assistance, fearing imminent death if a ransom is not paid quickly.
The kidnapping occurred at approximately 3 a.m. at Fr. Micah’s residence in the Damba area of Gusau, according to Yazid Abubakar, the spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command.
In the video, Fr. Micah, clad in a T-shirt and shorts, describes his dire situation. “I am pleading for help to be freed from this place. They told me that they don’t keep people for long here. People don’t stay for up to a week. The bandits told me that killing a person is not difficult for them. They said they are just helping me by keeping me. Please, I am asking for help.”
Showing signs of mistreatment, he added, “Please save my life in the name of God. Look at my head, look at my legs. I was tied with a rope and I am the only one in this place. Normally if they kidnap somebody, they don’t waste time. If the ransom is not paid immediately, they kill the person. Please, for God’s sake, help me, help me.”
Fr. Emmanuel Anyanwu, a fellow priest, has tearfully called for prayers and support for Fr. Micah. “Dear friends and beloved family in Christ, I am Fr. Emmanuel Anyanwu, and I am asking you in tears for prayers and support for my dear friend and brother priest, Rev. Fr. Micah, who is suffering deeply under the captivity of an Islamic extremist group. His only offense was being a Christian and a Catholic priest.”
The Catholic community and concerned citizens are urged to come together to secure the safe release of Rev. Fr. Micah Suleiman.
