Gunmen Kidnap Catholic Priest in Jos

 Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Catholic Priest of St Anthony’s Parish in Angware community in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State, Rev

James Kantoma, has been abducted by suspected gunmen.

Kantoma, who is also the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Jos East, was abducted at his residence in the community yesterday.

The state Chairman of CAN, Rev Polycarp Lubo, confirmed the abduction, describing the incident as unfortunate.

Lubo said: “Since the gunmen took the Reverend Father away in the morning, we have not heard anything either from him or the abductors up till this afternoon. This is so sad. We are praying that no harm will befall him wherever he is now.”

A resident of the community, Paul Aware, also confirmed the abduction, saying: “When the gunmen arrived in the community in the early hours, they moved straight to the house of the Reverend Father.

“Some youths in the area, who were alerted, tried to stop and even gave them a hot chase into the bush but the assailants started shooting sporadically, and eventually succeeded in taking the Reverend Father away.”

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Alfred Alabo, said the Police Command was aware of the incident and had deployed officers and men from the anti-kidnapping unit to the community.

Alabo said: “Our men are already working to ensure that the Reverend Father regains his freedom as well as apprehend those behind the abduction.”

He called for calm, saying the police are on top of the situation.