Bandits Attack Catholic Seminary School And Abduct 3 Seminarians In Kaduna State
Bandits Attack Catholic Seminary School And Abduct 3 Seminarians In Kaduna State
Some armed Bandits were said to have invaded the Christ the King Major Seminary, within St. Albert Institute, Fayit, Fadan Kagoma in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna state, abducting three seminarians.
The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Kaduna state has confirmed the incident, noting that the three seminarians were in their fourth year.
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The attack happened at about 8:00 pm on Monday night when the bandits in large numbers struck as they shot indiscriminately when they stormed the school premises.
This was according to a memo dated October 12, 2021, and addressed to the Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna Province.
3 Seminarians Abducted By Bandits In Kaduna State
The memo obtained by The PUNCH on Tuesday was signed by the Chancellor, Kafanchan Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okolo.
It was gathered that the bandits had reached out and demanded N15million as ransom.
The memo said six seminarians sustained various degrees of injuries during the attack and were taken to Salem Hospital, Kafanchan where they were treated and discharged.
It read, “We announce with unease the kidnap of three major seminarians of the Christ the King Major Seminary, our diocesan Major Seminary is domiciled within the St. Albert Institute.
“It houses mostly the formators and seminarians preparing for the catholic priesthood. The Seminarians receive academic formation from the St. Albert Institute.
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Bandits Attack Catholic Seminary School And Abduct 3 Seminarians
“The event took place on Monday, 11th October 2021 at about 7.26 pm, in the Chapel of the Seminary in Fayit,
Faden Kagoma in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“As of the time of the attack, 10 formators including the Rectors of the Seminary and the Institute, 132 Seminarians, 6 non-seminarians, one female non-academic staff and one steward were on the ground.
“Six seminarians sustained various degrees of injuries. A dispatch of soldiers of Operation Safe Haven was on the ground to accompany some formators and the injured seminarians to Salem Hospital in Kafanchan.
“There, they were treated and discharged after being confirmed to be stable.
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“These seminarians belong to the Apostles of Divine Charity and the Little Sons of the Eucharist Congregation.
“We ask for your closeness to us in praying for the quick and safe release of our abducted brothers.
“The entire well-wishers of our Institute and Seminary are hereby encouraged to desist from taking the laws into their hands.
“We would use every legitimate means to ensure their prompt and secure release. May Our Lady of the Holy Rosary and St. Wilfred intercede for our abducted brothers and all other kidnapped persons.”
The Kaduna State Police Command through its Spokesman, Muhammad Jalige also confirmed the incident, saying that operatives attached to the Police Tactical Team had visited the Institute.
The incident happened when the state government intensified efforts to tackle banditry across the state leading to the shut down of telecommunication services in parts of the state and other stiffer measures such as a ban on both commercial and private motorcyclists in the state amongst others.
