A Catholic priest abducted in an armed raid in Kaura Local Government Area (LGA) of southern Kaduna on 6 February in which one person was killed, has regained his freedom. His release comes amidst emerging news that an intermediary delivering the ransom payment on 25 January for the last student still in captivity after being abducted from Bethel Baptist High School, was himself taken hostage.
Rev Fr Joseph Danjuma Shekari of St Monica’s Catholic Church, Ikulu Parish, was released at around 10.30pm on 7 February by his abductors, who had raided his home at around 11.30pm on the previous evening, killing his cook, who was reportedly a student at the Government Secondary School, Kizakoro. According to one source, the kidnappers also seized “the sum of N2 million that was realised from a thanksgiving service, and other valuables.”
Confirmation of Rev Fr Shekari’s release came in a statement from the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Uchechukwu Okolo, in which he thanked all who had prayed for his release, and called for prayers for the repose of the soul of his cook and the swift release of all who are still in the hands of kidnappers.
According to the Secretary of the Kaduna chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev John Joseph Hayab, over 18 pastors, priests and Christian leaders have been abducted for ransom in Kaduna state in the last two years. Additionally, millions of Naira have been paid to secure their releases, while six have been killed by their captors. In a comment to CSW Rev John Joseph Hayab added that Rev Fr Shekari’s abduction “further shows that Christian clergy are no longer safe in Kaduna state and in northern Nigeria. Gradually, bandits have turned this noble calling into a dangerous vocation to venture in to.”
Rev Fr Shekari’s release comes amidst disturbing reports about the student kidnapped from Bethel Baptist High School in July 2021 who is still being held by his kidnappers, and who is reportedly the youngest of the abductees. Following the release of two of his colleagues on 1 January 2022, CSW had been informed he might have developed Stockholm Syndrome, as he had expressed a willingness to remain with his captors.
Towards the end of that month the kidnappers had requested a ransom to secure the student’s release. However, the person who went to deliver to deliver it on 25 January was subsequently abducted.
Rev Hayab continued: “The bandits took advantage of the young man and enticed him with many gifts and things to make him feel comfortable with them. There is no way the bandits can love him more than his parents or guardians. We need to seriously pray and work hard for the freedom of this fragile and innocent boy before the damage they do to him will be beyond remedy.”
Kaduna state has become an epicentre of kidnapping and violence by non-state actors, despite being the most garrisoned state in Nigeria. According to government figures, 1,192 people were killed and 3,348 abducted across the state during 2021 at an average rate of around nine people daily. The fatalities comprised 1,038 men, 104 women and 50 children.
A government gazette published in January 2022 designated non-state actors operating in northwest Nigeria who were previously described “armed bandits”, as terrorists, extending this designation to “other similar groups” operating “in any part of Nigeria, especially in the North-West and North-Central Regions.”
CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: “As we give thanks for Rev Fr Shekari’s safe and speedy return, we also grieve at the life that was cut short so cruelly, and extend our deepest condolences to the family of the cook who was killed on 6 February. Rev Fr Shekari’s abduction, and that of the individual sent to deliver the ransom for the final Bethel Baptist High School student, highlight the continuing severity of the kidnapping crisis in Kaduna state. We call on the Nigerian authorities to do all in their power to secure the release of the vulnerable young student, the intermediary who sought to assist him, and of all those held captive by armed non-state actors who the Nigerian government has correctly deemed to be terrorists. Finally, we continue to urge the international community to hold the Nigerian government to account for its failures to protect citizens, and to assist in combatting these terrorist threats at every opportunity.”