Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - The Archdiocese of Kaduna has officially confirmed, in a statement sent to Agenzia Fides, the kidnapping of Father Joseph Akete Bako, parish priest of the Catholic Church of St. John, in Kudenda in the local government area of Kaduna South, Kaduna State. "We regret to officially confirm the abduction of one of our priests, Father Joseph Akete Bako, from his residence at St John's Church, Kudenda, at approximately 1:30 a.m. on the night of March 8. During the assault, security guard Luka Philip was killed, while four other people were abducted from nearby homes", the statement reported. The Archdiocese invites the faithful to pray for the person killed and for the release of those kidnapped. At first, the state government and law enforcement authorities did not confirm the news, while the Archdiocese spoke through its chancellor, Fr Anthony Dodo, who told a local television station that armed men had burst into the parish house in the early hours of Tuesday, after shooting dead the security guard. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 9/3/2022)
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