According to reports from security agents in the Nigerian state of Plateau, eight individuals have been arrested and involved in various crimes, including the burning of the rectory of a parish in the Diocese of Kafanchan that caused the death of a seminarian.
Brother Na’aman Danlami died when suspected Fulani bandits attacked the parish of San Rafael Fadan Kamantan during the night of September 7 and set fire to the rectory, in what was confirmed as an attempted kidnapping.
In a press conference held on 29 September, the leadership of the Special Military Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), declared that eight suspects related to the tragic incident were arrested.
“Among these suspects are those related to the murder of Mrs. Dorathy Jonathan, on September 1 in Afana village, Zango Kataf,” stated PAHO media officer, Captain James Oya. And he added: “The suspects involved in the attack and arson of the St. Raphael Catholic Church in Fadan Kamatan on September 7 are also here.”
Captain Oya welcomed, on the other hand, the “quick response” of his troops, after having rescued “the parish priest Fr. Emmanuel Okolo and his assistant Fr. Noah Monday.”
“In total, we have eight suspects in custody for committing the aforementioned crimes and also for running a weapons manufacturing center in the area,” said the OPSH official. He also stated that 31 weapons of various categories were recovered during the operation.
In an interview given to the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the Bishop of Kafanchan stated that “the assailants intended to kidnap the parish priest . ”
“When they failed in their attempt to enter the father’s house, they set it on fire. The two priests were able to escape, but, terribly, the seminarian burned inside,” he said.
The Nigerian Bishop added: “The assault lasted more than an hour, but there was no reaction or support from the military forces. “There is a checkpoint one kilometer away, but there was a total absence of reaction.”
“Nigerian citizens are unprotected. We barely benefit from the security forces,” he added.
The Prelate described the death of seminarian Na’aman as “a terrible loss”, adding that his murder is not the first in his episcopal see, which serves Kaduna State.
“This seminarian is the second member that we have lost in the diocese due to the terrorist attacks of the Fulani bandits,” said Bishop Kundi, 55, who has been at the head of the Diocese of Kafanchan since his episcopal ordination in February 2020.
He also recalled that last year Fr. John Mark Cheitnum, Director of Communications of the Diocese of Kafanchan, was kidnapped and brutally murdered.