There was confusion in Sarkin Kudu, Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State as a priest, Rev. Fr Thaddeus Tarhembe, was abducted.
His abduction was confirmed by the Catholic Diocese of Wukari, who said Fr Tarhembe was whisked away in the early hours of Sunday by his abductors.
Confirming the abduction, the Communication Officer of the Catholic Diocese of Wukari, John Jerome, urged residents to pray for his safety and quick return.
He said the priest was kidnapped at the rectory of St. Ann’s Parish, Sarkin Kudu, by yet to be identified armed men.
His abduction is coming barely two days after four persons were abducted in Pupule village of Yorro Local Government Council.
The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Taraba State chapter, it would be recalled, recently raised the alarm over the abduction of Christian clerics in the state.
In a Wednesday, October 25 statement, the CAN Taraba Chapter Chairperson, Rev. Isaiah Magaji Jirapye, signed, members of the Christian entity that includes representatives of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) say they are “saddened with the nefarious activities of kidnappers which are targeted on Christian clergymen and their families.”
“CAN condemns this nefarious act and calls on the government to make security to the life and properties of Christian clerics a top priority as now they are the soft target of the kidnappers,” the Christian leaders say.
They continued, “CAN is worried that local Communities and villages are no longer safe as they are attacked frequently by these bad elements without caution and regard to humanity.
“This must not be allowed to continue to happen, the government should prioritize the security of the local communities across the state.”
Meanwhile, two persons were said to have been kidnapped in the Gulum axis of Jalingo, the state capital.
The kidnappers reportedly stormed the house of their victims and kidnapped them to an unknown destination through a bush path.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Usman, confirmed the incident.