The Nigerian Police Force, Adamawa 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 victims, according to reports were tied up inside a house owned by a church’s altar server
An altar servant provides sundry services to a Roman Catholic priest while performing mass.
According to SaharaReporters, it was learnt that the altar servant, had allegedly masterminded the abduction of the two priests and demanded N10million as ransom.
The two Catholic Church priests were said to have been kidnapped in Adamawa State.
The two clerics identified as Rev. Fathers Matthew David Dusami and Abraham Samman were reportedly abducted at a convent in Gweda Mallam in the Numan Local Government Area of the state.
As further gathered, Demian had gone to a location to pick up the N10million ransom, but abandoned it and escaped after suspecting he could be caught.
“Upon suspecting that there were security operatives around, he abandoned the ransom and ran away leaving his motorcycle behind as evidence.
“Security operatives took the motorcycle and it was identified as the altar servant’s own. Thereafter his house was forced open and the two priests were found locked up on a room and rescued,” one of the operatives revealed on condition of anonymity for lack of authority to speak to the press.
The bishop of Yola diocese, Dr. Stephen Dami Mamza, has also confirmed the rescue of the priests in a statement he personally signed.
Meanwhile, 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.
