ABUJA, July 16 (Reuters) – Two Nigerian Catholic priests have been kidnapped in Nigeria’s northern Kaduna state, the local diocese said, nearly two weeks after another cleric was kidnapped in the same region.
Fathers John Mark Cheitnum and Donatus Cleopas were kidnapped in the town of Lere after taking up parish duty at Christ the King Catholic Church, Yadin Garu.
Earlier this month in the same state, a priest was kidnapped from his presbytery while parishioners were waiting for him for morning mass, the local diocese said.
Violence has increased in northwestern Nigeria, where armed gangs are robbing and kidnapping people before demanding ransom.
Overwhelmed, security forces often fail to counter attacks. (Report Chijioke Ohuocha; French version Elizabeth Pineau)