Armed bandits have abducted a Catholic priest in Ikulu Chiefdom of Zangon Kataf local government area of Kaduna state.
According to reports, Luka Benson Yakusak, the priest in charge of St Matthew’s Catholic Church, Anchuna village, was abducted around 7:30pm on Monday when the gunmen stormed his residence.
It was also gathered that the village is the hometown of Matthew Kukah, Catholic bishop of Sokoto diocese.
The incident was confirmed by the Hausa Christians Foundation (HACFO) via its Facebook page on Tuesday morning.
The statement read:
“PRAYER ALERT!
“Barely two days that Rev Silas Y. Ali an ECWA Pastor of ECWA Zonzon DCC was martyred (11/09/2021) by Hausa/Fulani Muslims at Zango Town, Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna State another Catholic Priest of Anchuna Parish Rev. Fr. Benson Yakusak in Ikulu Chiefdom of Zagon kataf LGA kaduna state, was kidnapped by “unknown gunmen” this yesterday’s night (13-09-2021).
“Join us to Pray for God’s intervention concerning this God’s Servant. We shall not loss this one to these evil people in Jesus Name. Amen!
“Pray for Kaduna State!
“Pray for the Church in Northern Nigeria!
The Kaduna state police command was yet to confirm the incident as at press time.
Less than 48 hours before the latest incident, Chronicle NG reported the gruesome murder of an ECWA pastor in the same local government.
The victim was the presiding Pastor of Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) church in Kibori-Asha Awuce in Zangon Kataf.
Reverend Ali was last seen on Saturday when he was said to be on his way to Kafanchan.
The butchered corpse of the clergyman was later found by a search party on Sunday at Kibori community, near Asha-Awuce.
Matchete marks on his body indicated that he was attacked and butchered to death.
24 hours after the pastor’s killing, 12 people were brutally murdered in the same community.
The attack was confirmed by the state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan.
According to a statement by the commissioner, the assailants stormed the village on Sunday evening, killing 12 residents and injuring two others.
The victims were identified as follows; Philbia Ysuaf, Suzanna Ezekiel, Rahib Alex, Ishaku Bamaiyi, Deborah Ishaku, Tinat Bamaiyi, Zichat Kefas, Sunday Daniel, Hauwa Gabriel, Fedelia Famson, Sadia Donald and Goodness Kefas.
According to Aruwan, the injured residents were currently recieving treatment at a health facility.
Upon receiving the report, Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed grief at the report of another deadly incident in the area.
He sent his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims slain in the mindless and gruesome attack, and prayed for the repose of their souls.
The governor wished the injured residents a quick recovery.
The statement further said the security agencies are poised to sustain patrols in the area, as investigations into the incident progress.
