Suspected bandits have abducted a catechist of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Kadarko, his pregnant wife, and more than 30 other residents in Kagarko Local Government Area, Kaduna State, triggering mass fear among villagers.
Following the attack, most residents fled to nearby villages, leaving the community largely deserted.
Rev. Fr Linus Matthew Bobai, the Parish Priest of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Kadarko, spoke on Arise TV about the situation.
“Initially, after the incident, some soldiers came from the neighbouring village. They came and then they went around for a few minutes. We saw them, and they came back and then that’s all,” he said.
He described the tense state of the village after the abductions.
“We are handicapped. The community, we are under tension. And over 98% of the community went to a nearby village, Kenya to sleep last yesterday and today,” Father Bobai added.
He further explained that only a small number remained behind. “As I just said yesterday and today, we slept in these villages today, we are not up to 40 that slept in this village. Many of them went away because of fear, so we are very tense.”
Despite the threat, some residents, particularly pastors, chose to stay and support the community.
“Some of us are afraid, but we cannot run away because we are pastors. And a few others, we encourage them to stay behind, to look after the community, and to trust in God’s faithfulness,” he concluded.
Leave a Reply