Gunmen have kidnapped two priests at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Gidan Maikambo, in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State.

It was gathered that the gunmen broke into the rectory in the early hours of Wednesday, May 25, and whisked away from the parish priest Rev. Fr. Oliver Okpara, his assistant, Rev. Fr. Stephen Ojapa, and two boys.

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church is one of the parishes presided over by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan-Kukah. Sokoto Diocese covers Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and the Kebbi States.

The Director, Social Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Rev. Fr Christopher Omotosho, who confirmed the incident on Wednesday morning, said the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto is under attack and no information has been gotten as to the whereabouts of the kidnappers.

“As at midnight of today, 25th May 2022, gunmen broke into the rectory of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Gidan Maikambo, Kafur LGA of Katsina State,”

“The parish priest and his assistant Rev. Frs. Stephen Ojapa, MSP, Oliver Okpara, and two boys in the house were kidnapped. No information as to their whereabouts. Kindly pray for their safety and release.” he said