Two Catholic Priests were kidnapped in Yola, Adamawa State on Saturday.

The State Police Command while confirming the development, said it has launched a manhunt for the armed men who abducted the two clerics, adding that the incident took place in the early hours of Saturday, February 22, 2025.

The victims, Reverend Father Mathew David Dusami of Yola Catholic Diocese and Reverend Father Abraham Samman of Jalingo Diocese, were kidnapped from their residence in Gwaida Malam, Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, CP Dankombo Morris, who condemned the attack, described it as “an unprovoked kidnapping of religious leaders who are actively working to promote peace in society.”

According to a statement by Police Public Relations Officer SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, the kidnappers stormed the priests’ residence at around 4:00 a.m., armed with dangerous weapons, and forcibly took them away.

CP Morris has since deployed a special police team to track down the perpetrators and ensure the safe rescue of the victims.

“The progressive efforts of the command will definitely bring the perpetrators and other persons involved to face the full wrath of the law,” the police statement read.

The police have urged residents to remain calm and provide any useful information that could aid in the rescue operation.
“We seek the support and cooperation of the general public to give useful and timely information that will aid our quest to rescue the victims and apprehend the criminals,” Nguroje added.

Three persons have been arrested by Biu Police Area Command in Borno State in connection with the brutal murder of a 50-year-old woman accused of witchcraft practices.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said on Saturday, that the Commissioner of Police, Borno Command, Mr. Yusuf Lawan, revealed that the victim, identified as Hajara Saleh, was killed on February 21 in the Bantine community, located in Biu Local Government Area of the state.

Lawan disclosed that the suspects, identified as Ja’o Muhammad, Idrisa Muhammad, and Ya’u Muhammad, are aged between 20 and 30 years. He assured that the investigation is ongoing and that justice will be served.

The commissioner said the suspects allegedly conspired to kill the victim, accusing her of practising witchcraft and bringing misfortune to the community.

Lawan said the woman sustained injuries on her neck, legs, and hands, resulting in her death.

He said that the police were alerted of the alleged crime by residents of Dadinkowa Gunda ward who reported the incident at about 11:00 a.m.

“Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered that the victim had already been buried according to Islamic rites by her husband, Saleh Bole, and other family members,” the commissioner said.

Lawan explained that despite the burial, police investigators managed to photograph the victim’s remains and gather critical evidence.

He added that two suspects were arrested immediately, while one was still at large, assuring that the police had launched a manhunt to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

The commissioner described the attack as barbaric and unjustified, warning that accusations of witchcraft should not be used as an excuse for violence or extrajudicial killings.

“The police are fully committed to bringing all those responsible for this heinous crime to justice. The public must understand that the law does not permit people to take matters into their own hands,” he said.

According to him, the suspects are facing charges of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and other related offences, noting that they would be prosecuted once investigations are concluded.

Lawan therefore, urged community members to report suspicions of witchcraft or other grievances to the police rather than resorting to jungle justice.

Natasha Ajpoti-Uduagban, the senator representing Kogi Central, has been asked to apologise for her unruly behaviour at plenary on Thursday.

Legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Monday Ubani, urged Natasha to acknowledge her misstep.

The senator was involved in a heated confrontation during a Senate session, raising concerns about decorum and parliamentary procedure.

According to Ubani, her action, marked by shouting and disrupting proceedings—were inappropriate and undermined the institution she represents.

While acknowledging the right of every senator, including that of Akpoti-Uduaghan to fair hearing and voicing out concerns, Ubani questioned whether her approach was the best course of action.

He noted that Senate rules are designed to maintain order and dignity, and disregarding them in favour of disorderly conduct sets a dangerous precedent not only in the Senate chambers but in every institution.

“If her new seating arrangement will genuinely obstruct her visibility in the chambers as she alleged, was there no more civil and procedural way to address the issue?” Ubani asked.

He further criticised her response in a subsequent interview with Berekete Family Radio, describing it as reflective of “an exaggerated sense of entitlement rather than a constructive pursuit of justice.”

Drawing a comparison to a similar incident involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio during the tenure of former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Ubani recalled how Akpabio, upon understanding the rationale for seat rearrangement, offered an apology to his colleagues. He contrasted this with Akpoti-Uduaghan’s continued combative stance during and after, arguing that her approach demonstrated a lack of respect for Senate procedures.

Ubani warned that failing to adhere to parliamentary protocols could diminish her effectiveness as a lawmaker.

He advised the senator to reconsider her actions, embrace humility and apologize to the Senate. “Those rallying behind her now may not stand with her in times of true need,” he said.