The two Catholic priests kidnapped recently in Adamawa State were found tied up inside a house belonging to one of the Church’s altar servants, who allegedly masterminded their abduction and demanded a N10 million ransom.
It was reported that the altar servant, identified as Taledo Demiel, orchestrated the abduction of Rev. Fathers Matthew David Dusami and Abraham Samman. The two priests, who serve in Adamawa and Taraba dioceses of the Catholic Church, were reportedly kidnapped at a convent in Gweda Mallam in the Numan Local Government Area on February 22, 2025.
According to sources, Demiel went to collect the N10 million ransom but fled after suspecting security operatives were nearby.
“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 in a room and rescued,” a security operative told SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity.
The Bishop of Yola Diocese, Dr. Stephen Dami Mamza, confirmed the priests’ rescue in a statement but declined to comment on the involvement of the altar servant.
The Adamawa State Police Command also confirmed the incident. Its spokesperson, SP Suleiman Nguroje, in an earlier statement, 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.”
Nguroje added that the suspects, armed with offensive weapons, stormed the priests’ residence around 4 am and whisked them away.
The police assured that investigations are ongoing to track down Demiel and any accomplices involved in the abduction.
