Reverend Father Abbé Valentin Mbaïbare, parish priest of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church in Madingring in Garoua has been freed after being held captive for eight days, the Archbishop of Garoua, His Grace Faustin Ambassa Ndjodo, has announced.
In an official statement issued from Garoua on Friday, May 16, 2026, Archbishop Ambassa expressed deep gratitude to all those who offered prayers and support during the ordeal.
He invoked God’s blessing upon everyone who contributed in any way to securing the priest’s freedom.
The Archbishop did not provide details about the circumstances of the abduction or the release, but described the liberation as a moment of immense joy for the local Catholic community and the region as a whole.
A local newspaper L’Oeil du Sahel had reported that the kidnappers earlier requested for FCFA 25 million, a claim that the authorities of the church have neither debunked nor confirmed.
Abbé Mbaïbare is reported to be in good health and has rejoined his parishioners, who welcomed him back with prayers and celebrations.
