A Catechist of St. Monica Catholic Church, Ikulu-Pari, in Chawai Chiefdom, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has been abducted by gunmen on Thursday.
It was gathered that the gunmen invaded the residence of the parish priest, Rev (Fr) Joseph Shekari, around 9:30 pm on Thursday, 19 January, 2023.
When they couldn’t find the Reverend father who had travelled out of the village, they kidnapped the Catechist named Kefas Ishaya, instead.
The Chairman of Ikulu Zone of the parish, Mr Sunday Bage, who confirmed the incident told NAN that the abductors came around 9.30 p.m.
“Thank God Father (Reverend) travelled. They didn’t get him, but they picked our Catechist. They dragged the Catechist to the bush. They took him with his phone. We have been calling the line but it keeps ringing out,” he said.
He said that the gunmen were many and kept shooting sporadically, moving through the Church, the school and the priest’s residence in search of the Rev Father.
Neighbours told NAN that the gunmen broke into the residence of the priest after scaling through the fence.
They were said to have broken the main door to the house using stones and bullets.
“Immediately they broke into the house, they searched and ransacked everywhere. They checked under the beds, wardrobes, bathrooms and kitchen,” an eyewitness said.
“They even checked the ceiling, but Father had travelled. So, they did not get him. In anger, they took our Catechist. As we speak, he is with them in the bush. It is a very sad situation. This is devastating. They dragged Catechist on the ground like a dog,”
She recalled that it was not long ago that Fr Shekari was abducted and rescued after “a huge ransom” was paid.
In February 2022, Rev Fr. Joseph Shekari was abducted by bandits and killed his cook during the attack.
According to reports, the assailants stormed the parish house at about 11.30pm on Sunday, 6 February.
They allegedly fired gunshots killing the cook before whisking the clergyman to an unknown destination.
The eyewitness said: “They came again to take him. Luckily, he wasn’t in. This is really a dark period for us.”
