A Catholic priest who was abducted in Nigeria’s Kaduna State has regained his freedom after nearly a week in captivity. Reverend Father Ibrahim Amos, the parish vicar of St. Gerald Kwasi Parish in Kurmin Risga, Kauru Local Government Area, was released unharmed, according to a statement by the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan.

Fr. Amos was taken by unidentified gunmen in the early hours of April 24. His release after six tense days brought immense relief to the local Catholic community. Fr. Jacob Shannet, the diocesan chancellor, expressed profound gratitude for the priest’s safe return, saying, “We thank God for delivering us from this dark episode. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of all clergy and faithful, continue to intercede, especially for those still in captivity.”

The incident is a chilling reminder of the growing threat faced by clergy in Nigeria. Just last March, Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu, another priest from Kaduna State, was abducted and murdered. In the past decade, numerous priests have fallen victim to violence, underscoring the persistent dangers faced by religious leaders in the region.