Catholic Diocese of Ekiti in Nigeria Appealing for Prayers for Kidnapped Priest

“While waiting for the abductors to make contact(s) with the Diocese, the Bishop solicits your prayers for the quick and safe release of Fr. Olofinlade for him to return to his Pastoral duty post to continue his service to God and humanity through and in the Church,” Fr. Oluwole says.

He implores, “With confidence in God and Christ being our strength, wherever God leads us, we follow with joy, commitment and happiness.”

Nigeria has been struggling with violence from gangs who kidnap for ransom and sometimes kill their abductees.

The West African nation has been experiencing insecurity since 2009 when the Boko Haram insurgency emerged with the aim of turning the country into an Islamic state.

The kidnapping is the latest in a series of abductions and killings in Nigeria which have involved Catholics and other Christians; clergy, seminarians, and lay people.

More in Africa

Catholic Prelates Must “tread path of listening”: Archbishop on Ministry of Bishop in Mission of Church in Africa

Read the article

On Sunday, January 15, the Parish Priest of Sts. Peter and Paul Kaffin Koro Parish of the Catholic Diocese of Minna in Nigeria was killed following an attack on the Nigerian Parish.

“It is on a sad note that we announce the death of Very Rev.  Fr. Issac Achi of the Catholic Diocese of Minna,” the Nigerian Diocese said in a message obtained by ACI Africa.

The Diocese of Minna added that while Fr. Achi’s Assistant, Fr. Collins Omeh, survived the attack, he is hospitalized and “in critical condition”.

However, in his letter addressed to the Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), the Chancellor of Minna Diocese, Fr. Amanchukwu Emeka G. provides further updates about the situation of Fr. Omeh, saying, he “sustained some gunshot wounds but he is responding to treatment”.

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.