Sachin Jose / X
CV NEWS FEED // Two diocesan priests in Nigeria were kidnapped Feb. 22, according to a press release from Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
The release states that armed kidnappers broke into a rectory in Gweda-Mallam, forcibly taking Father Matthew David Dutsemi from the Diocese of Yola and Father Abraham Saummam from the Diocese of Jalingo.
The Diocese of Yola informed ACN of the kidnappings, and both ACN and the Diocese asked for prayers for the safe return of both priests.
During the Feb. 3 International Religious Freedom Summit, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., called for immediate action to combat the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, as CatholicVote previously reported.
Smith explained that the persecution was led largely by Islamist extremist groups, such as Boko Haram and Fulani militias.
He also cited a report stating that 3,100 Christians were killed and 2,830 kidnapped in 2024 alone.
Another 2025 report found that Nigeria is the deadliest country in the world for Christians, especially in the country’s northern states, which operate under Sharia law.
