he three abducted seminarians at the Christ the King Major Seminary, St. Albert Institute, Fayit, Fadan Kagoma in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have been released.
Bandits in large numbers had, on Monday night at about 8:00pm, invaded the Catholic institution and abducted the three seminarians who were said to be in their fourth year.
Six others were said to have sustained injuries; they were later taken to the hospital, treated and discharged.
But barely 48 hours after their abduction, the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Kaduna, announced their release from the bandits’ den.
According to a memo dated October 13, 2021 and signed by the Chancellor, Kafanchan Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okolo, “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 persons 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, 11 October, 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 God to hasten the release of those who are still in the hands of their Captors.
“All our Priests are directed to kindly celebrate Mass of thanksgiving to God tomorrow, Thursday 14th October 2021, 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.”
The attack happened after the state government intensified efforts to tackle banditry across the state leading to the shutdown of telecommunication services in parts of the state and other stiffer measures such as ban on both commercial and private motorcyclists, among others.
