Reverend Father Jeremiah Yakubu has been kidnapped by gunmen wreaking havoc in the beleaguered Southern Kaduna.
Father Yakubu is the parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Karku in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The development was announced in a statement on Monday by the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Reverend Father Emmanuel Okolo.
He disclosed that Father Yakubu was whisked from the parish rectory in Kauru LGA at about 11pm on Sunday night when the gunmen invaded the area.
He called for intense prayer for the quick and safe release of the priest.
The Chancellor, however, implored the parishioners to refrain from doing anything untoward or taking laws into their hands.
Christians-dominated southern Kaduna has been the hotbed of violent attacks, killings and other forms of criminal activities for years on end with many insinuating that the atrocities perpetrated by non-state actors in the troubled enclave borders on religious and ethnic cleansing.
The latest abduction is coming a few days after the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai made a highly controversial comment about Islamic hegemony in the state.
The former governor had in a viral video, made comments in Hausa language that many considered inciting against Christians in the state.
He had said, “Why did I pick Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe to be my deputy in 2019? First, I did a thorough calculation that most of those that are not Muslims don’t vote for our party. Most of them. So, why should I give them the deputy (governor) position?
His comments had elicited controversies across the country with many concerned citizens asking stakeholders to call him to order before his reckless and divisive comments set the nation ablaze.