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Appeal for Prayers as Catholic Priest Kidnapped from Residence in Nigeria Remains Missing

Fr. Emmanuel Ezema. Credit: Zaria Diocese
Jude Atemanke

By Jude Atemanke

Zaria, 03 December, 2025 / 10:38 pm (ACI Africa).

The Catholic Diocese of Zaria in Nigeria is appealing for prayers for the “quick and safe release” of   Fr. Emmanuel Ezema, who was abducted on Tuesday, December 2.

In a statement shared with ACI Africa, the Chancellor of the Nigerian Catholic Diocese, Fr. Isek Augustine provided the details of Fr. Ezema’s abduction, saying that the Priets who serves at St. Peter's Catholic Church Rumi was kidnapped from his residence at around 11:30 p.m.

Appealing for solidarity with the abducted Priest, Fr. Isek said, “We call on all men and women of Goodwill to pray for the safe and quick release of our Priest and others from the hands of their abductors.”

He implored, “Through the intercession of our Lady, the Mother of all Priests, and our mother, may our brother, and others return to us safe and sound.”

Nigeria has been battling with a surge of violence orchestrated by gangs, whose members carry out indiscriminate attacks, kidnapping for ransom, and in some cases, killing.

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Boko Haram insurgency has been a major challenge in the country since 2009, a group that allegedly aims to turn Africa's most populous nation into an Islamic nation.

The insecurity situation in many other parts of the country has been further complicated by the involvement of the predominantly Muslim Fulani herdsmen, also referred to as the Fulani Militia.

The December 2 abduction of Fr. Ezema follows a series of other kidnappings that have targeted members of the Clergy in Africa’s most populous nation.

On November 17, Fr. Bobbo Paschal was abducted from his residence when gunmen attacked St. Stephen Parish of Kaduna Catholic Archdiocese. During the attack, numerous people were kidnapped, and Fr. Anthony Yero’s brother was killed.

The Nigerian Catholic Archdiocese on November 20 refuted circulating social media reports that Fr. Paschal had been killed.

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Jude Atemanke

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.

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