Gunmen kidnaps Catechist in Kaduna

Mr. Kefas Ishaya, the catechist at St. Monica Catholic Church, Ikulu-Pari, in the Chawai Chiefdom of Kauru Local Government, Kaduna State, was kidnapped by gunmen on Thursday.

The attackers chose the catechist instead of his boss, Rev. Fr. Joseph Shekari, who was not home at the time of the incident, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

Shekari, who had been kidnapped in a similar manner in February 2022, had left the community and was not available for a second experience in captivity.

On Sunday, the church performed its annual Thanksgiving Service, and its members believe the abductors were after the money after successfully hauling away what was generated in February 2022.

The kidnappers arrived “about 9.30 p.m,” according to Mr. Sunday Bage, the chairman of the parish’s Ikulu Zone.

He told NAN in phone, “Thank God Father (Reverend) travelled. They didn’t get him, but they picked our Catechist. They dragged the Catechist to the bush. They took him with his phone. We have been calling the line but it keeps ringing out.”

The gunmen, he claimed, were numerous and fired randomly as they moved through the church, the school, and the priest’s home in pursuit of the Rev Father.

According to neighbors who spoke with NAN, the gunmen scaled the fence and entered the priest’s home.

It was said that they used stones and firearms to smash the front door of the property.

A woman who was obviously terrified told NAN, “Immediately they broke into the house, they searched and ransacked everywhere. They checked under the beds, wardrobes, bathrooms and kitchen.

“They even checked the ceiling, but Father had travelled. So, they did not get him. In anger, they took our Catechist. As we speak, he is with them in the bush.

“It is a very sad situation. This is devastating. They dragged Catechist on the ground like a dog.”

She recalled that Fr. Shekari had recently been kidnapped and released after “a huge ransom” had been paid.

“They returned to get him. Thankfully, he was outside. For us, this is a very dark time, she remarked.

She recalled that Fr. Shekari had recently been kidnapped and released after “a huge ransom” had been paid.

“They returned to get him. Thankfully, he was outside. For us, this is a very dark time, he remarked.

Gunmen abducted Shekari in February 2022. His cook, Sati Musa, was killed by the shooters in the February attack while attempting to defend his master.

When discussing the February incident, a church elder named Yohanna Madaki observed that the kidnappers reportedly had their sights set on the more than N2 million made from the annual Thanksgiving service that same day.

The cook who was killed attended the Government Secondary School, Kizakoro, and the money was taken along with him.

On Sunday, January 16, the parish held its annual Thanksgiving service. On Thursday, January 19, the kidnappers struck.