Two Catholic priests who were kidnapped in Adamawa State nearly two weeks ago were discovered on Saturday evening, tied up inside a house belonging to one of the Church’s altar servers.
An altar server assists a Catholic priest during mass by performing various duties.
Drivetvnews Reports indicate that the altar server, identified as Taledo Demiel, allegedly orchestrated the abduction and demanded a ransom of ₦10 million.
On February 22, 2025, news surfaced that the two priests, Rev. Fathers Matthew David Dusami and Abraham Samman, had been kidnapped from a convent in Gweda Mallam, located in the Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Further investigation revealed that Demiel had attempted to collect the ransom but fled the scene upon sensing the presence of security operatives.
“When he suspected that security forces were nearby, he abandoned the ransom money and escaped, leaving his motorcycle behind as evidence,” a security operative disclosed on the condition of anonymity, citing a lack of authorization to speak publicly.
Authorities traced the abandoned motorcycle to Demiel, leading them to his residence. Upon forcibly entering the house, they found the two priests locked in a room and successfully rescued them.
The Bishop of the Yola Diocese, Dr. Stephen Dami Mamza, confirmed the priests’ rescue in a personally signed statement but refrained from commenting on the involvement of the altar server.
Both priests serve in the Catholic dioceses of Adamawa and Taraba.
The Adamawa State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Suleiman Nguroje, had earlier confirmed the abduction in an official statement.
According to Nguroje, “The Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, Dankombo Morris, strongly condemns the unprovoked kidnapping of Reverend Father Matthew David Dusami of the Yola Catholic Diocese and Reverend Father Abraham Samman of the Jalingo Diocese in the early hours of February 22, 2025.
“The unfortunate incident took place at the priests’ residence in Gweda Mallam, Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State.”
He further explained that armed assailants stormed the residence around 4 a.m. and forcibly took the priests away.
