Police arrest church member for reportedly kidnapping 2 Catholic priests

The Adamawa State Police Command has apprehended a 34-year-old church member, Tahamado Demian, for allegedly abducting two Catholic priests — Reverend Father Abraham Samman of the Jalingo Diocese and Reverend Father Matthew Dusami of the Yola Diocese.

The command’s spokesperson, Suleiman Nguroje, revealed the arrest in a statement shared on X.com on Saturday night.

According to the statement, a police rescue operation was conducted on February 21, 2025, at a hideout in Gwaida Malam village, a remote location between Numan and Demsa local government areas. The operation successfully led to Demian’s arrest and the safe rescue of the priests.

“The command’s planned operation had successfully rescued the two Reverend fathers unhurt and no dime is paid as ransom. The victims are now receiving medical attention,” the statement read.

The police also seized a locally made assault rifle, two mobile phones, and several SIM cards during the operation.

“These rescue operations, commenced from 21st February, 2025, in various criminal hideouts within the state and it yielded positive results as one Tahamado Jonathan Demian 34 years old a member of the same church, with the victims was arrested for kidnapping of his two Reverend fathers (Abraham Samman and Matthew David Dusami) of Catholic Dioceses of Yola and Jalingo respectively,” the statement continued.

The Commissioner of Police, Dankombo Morris, expressed appreciation for the continued support from the government, other security agencies, and the public. He urged the community to maintain collaboration with law enforcement for swift responses to emergencies, adding that the suspect would face diligent prosecution.