The two Catholic priests abducted two weeks ago in Adamawa State were found on Saturday evening, tied up inside a house owned by one of the church’s altar servers, according to SaharaReporters.
An altar servant provides sundry services to a Roman Catholic priest while performing mass.
According to SaharaReporters, it was learnt that the altar servant, identified as Taledo Demiel had allegedly masterminded the abduction of the two priests and demanded N10million as ransom.
On February 22, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that two Catholic Church priests were on that Saturday kidnapped in Adamawa State.
The two clerics identified as Rev. Fathers Matthew David Dusami and Abraham Samman were reportedly abducted at a convent in Gweda Mallam in the Numan Local Government Area of the state.
As further gathered, Demiel had gone to a location to pick up the N10million ransom, but abandoned it and escaped after suspecting he could be caught.
“Upon suspecting that there were security operatives around, he abandoned the ransom and ran away leaving his motorcycle behind as evidence.
“Security operatives took the motorcycle and it was identified as the altar servant’s own. Thereafter his house was forced open and the two priests were found locked up on a room and rescued,” one the operatives told SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity for lack of authority to speak to the press.
The bishop of Yola diocese, Dr. Stephen Dami Mamza, has also confirmed the rescue of the priests in a statement he personally signed.
Mamza however declined comment on the role of the altar servant.
The clergymen are said to be serving in Adamawa and Taraba diocese of the Catholic Church.
The Spokesperson for the Adamawa State Police Command, SP Suleiman Nguroje, had confirmed the abduction in a statement the command issued.
He had said, “The Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, Dankombo Morris, has condemned vehemently an unprovoked kidnapping of Reverend father Mathew David Dusami of Yola Catholic Diocese and Reverend father Abraham Samman of Jalingo Diocese, at the early hours of today, February 22nd, 2025.
“The unfortunate incident occurred at the priests’ residence situated at Gweda Malam, in Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State”.
He had explained that the suspects armed with offensive weapons stormed their victims’ house around 4am and whisked them away.
