There was excitement yesterday in Kafanchan, Kaduna State as the three Catholic seminarians, who were abducted by bandits on Monday regained freedom, after spending two days in captivity.
Their release was celebrated with a thanksgiving mass, after Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Reverend Father Emmanuel Uchechukwu Okolo announced it.
However, details of their release were still sketchy as at press time. There was no information on whether the N15 million ransom demanded by bandits on each of the three seminarians was paid by the Catholic Diocese in Kafanchan.
But Reverend Father Okolo, in a letter addressed to the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kaduna Province, Vicar Foranes, and other priests, said: “With hearts filled with joy, we raise our voices in a symphony of praises as we announce the return of our three major seminarians, who were abducted by armed men from the Chapel of the Seminary at Christ the King Major Seminary, Fayit Fadan Kagoma in Jema’a Local Government Area, Kaduna State, on Monday, October 11, 2021.
“Barely 48 hours after their kidnap, our beloved brothers were released by their abductors. We want to thank all those that have offered prayers and entreaties for the quick release of our seminarians and others, who are still in the dens of their kidnappers.
“ We pray to God to hasten the release of those who are still in the hands of their captors. All our priests are directed to kindly celebrate a mass of thanksgiving to God today (yesterday), Thursday, October 14, for the quick and safe release of our seminarians.
“May Our Lady of Guadalupe intercede for us and all those that are still in captivity.”
