GUSAU, Nigeria – A desperate plea for help from a kidnapped Nigerian priest has emerged on social media, raising concerns for his safety.
Reverend Father Mikah Suleiman, the parish priest of St. Raymond Catholic Church in Damba, Gusau, Zamfara state, was abducted by suspected bandits on Saturday, June 22nd, 2024. In a 51-second video circulating online, a visibly distressed Father Suleiman sits on the ground, pleading for his life.
The authenticity of the video has been confirmed. Dressed in a t-shirt and shorts, Father Suleiman appears beaten and tied with rope. His captors remain unseen, but his words are chilling.
“They told me that killing a person is not difficult to them,” Father Suleiman says in the video. “They said they are just helping me by keeping me, please, I am asking for help.”
Fearing for his life, Father Suleiman pleads with viewers to intervene. “Normally, if they kidnap somebody, they don’t waste time. If ransom is not paid immediately, they kill the person. Please, for God’s sake, help me, help me,” he pleads.
The Zamfara State Police Command spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the kidnapping but noted the incident was not reported to the police. Despite this, Mr. Abubakar stated a police tactical squad is actively searching for Father Suleiman and working to secure his safe return.
The Catholic Church in Nigeria has not yet commented on the video of the kidnapped priest, nor are there any clear indications of what they will do. However, this is not the first kidnapping of a priest in the country this year. The rise in kidnappings by armed groups has become a growing concern for Nigerians.
