By Charles Igwe
The Archdiocese of Kaduna is urgently calling for prayers for the safe release of Father Gabriel Ukeh, who was abducted from his parish rectory on June 9.
On June 10, Father Emmanuel Faweh Kazah, the chancellor of the archdiocese, informed ACI Africa that Father Ukeh was taken from the rectory of St. Thomas Zaman Dabo Parish in the early hours of Sunday.
Father Kazah appealed to the Nigerian government to address the frequent abductions of priests in the country. “While we solicit fervent prayers for his urgent and safe release, we equally condemn this act of incessant kidnappings for ransom of innocent and defenseless citizens of our communities, and we call upon the government to hone its security intelligence as we approach the celebration of Sallah [marking the end of Ramadan],” the chancellor said.
“As we work with security operatives for his quick release, we wish to call on all to stay away from taking the law into their own hands,” he continued. “We will use every legitimate means to ensure that Father comes back to us safe and sound.”
Father Kazah offered this prayer: “Through the intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Priests and Religious, may Jesus the crucified hearken to our prayers and hasten the unconditional release of his priest and every other abducted person.”
Nigeria has been facing a surge of violence orchestrated by gangs that carry out indiscriminate attacks, kidnapping for ransom, and sometimes murdering people. Since 2009, the insurgency by Boko Haram, which aims to turn Africa’s most populous nation into an Islamic state, has been a significant challenge.
Father Ukeh’s abduction is the latest in a series of kidnappings targeting clergy in Nigeria. Father Oliver Buba, a priest from the Diocese of Yola, was abducted on May 21 and later released. Similarly, on May 15, the Archdiocese of Onitsha announced the abduction of Father Basil Gbuzuo, who was subsequently set free.
