In the early hours of Wednesday 25th May 2022, some gunmen invaded one of the parishes presided over by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan-Kuhah. The hoodlums kidnapped two priests and two others in the rectory of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Gidan Maikambo, in the Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The Director, Social Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Rev. Fr Christopher Omotosho, confirmed the attack also noting that no information has been heard concerning the abductees. It is said that Kukah's Sokoto Diocese covers Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi States.
Omotosho said, “As at midnight of today, 25th May 2022, gunmen broke into the rectory of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Gidan Maikambo, Kafur LGA of Katsina State.
“The parish priest and his assistant Rev. Frs. Stephen Ojapa, MSP, Oliver Okpara, and two boys in the house were kidnapped.
“No information as to their whereabouts. Kindly pray for their safety and release.”
On May 14, rampaging hoodlums torched and vandalized some parishes presided over by Kukah in Sokoto following his condemnation of the gruesome murder of Deborah Yakubu by her Muslim colleagues.
The rioters also burnt some parts of Kukah’s church buildings and set a bus ablaze on one of the premises.
