The Adamawa State Police Command has successfully rescued two Catholic priests who were abducted by armed criminals in a well-coordinated operation targeting kidnappers' hideouts in the state.
The rescue operation, which was carried out by a tactical team of the police, was launched after intelligence reports indicated the whereabouts of the kidnapped priests. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, confirmed the development in a statement released on Sunday. According to him, the operatives stormed a criminal hideout in Gwaida Malam village, a remote settlement connecting Numan and Demsa Local Government Areas, and successfully freed the victims without paying any ransom.
The suspect, identified as Tahamado Jonathan Demian, a 34-year-old man and a member of the same church as the abducted priests, was arrested at the scene. He was allegedly involved in orchestrating the abduction of Reverend Father Abraham Samman of the Catholic Diocese of Yola and Reverend Father Matthew David Dusami of the Catholic Diocese of Jalingo.
The statement from the police reads: “Following credible intelligence, a special operation was launched on February 21, 2025, leading to the successful rescue of the two Catholic priests from captivity. The victims were found unharmed and are currently receiving medical attention.”
The police also recovered a locally fabricated assault rifle, a handset, and multiple SIM cards believed to have been used for ransom negotiations. The suspect has been taken into custody and is assisting the authorities with further investigations to apprehend other accomplices.
Reacting to the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police, CP Dankombo Morris, commended the officers involved for their bravery and professionalism. He expressed gratitude for the support received from the state government, security agencies, and members of the public. CP Morris reaffirmed the commitment of the Adamawa Police Command to eradicating criminal activities in the state.
He urged residents to continue providing timely and useful information that could assist security agencies in tackling crime, emphasizing that collaboration between law enforcement and the community is key to maintaining peace and security.
The rescue operation is part of the broader efforts by the Adamawa State Police Command to combat the rising cases of kidnapping, banditry, and other violent crimes in the region. Investigations are ongoing, and the police have vowed to track down all those involved in the abduction of the priests.