The Adamawa State Police Command has detained a 34-year-old church member in connection with the kidnapping of two Catholic priests, Rev. Fr. Abraham Samman and Rev. Fr. Matthew David Dusami, from the Catholic Dioceses of Yola and Jalingo, respectively.
Spokesperson for the command, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, announced the arrest in a statement on Saturday, March 8, 2025, following the rescue of the priests at a criminal hideout in Gwaida Malam village.
According to the police report, the priests were rescued unharmed and are currently receiving medical attention.
“To ensure the protection of lives and property and to create a secure environment in the state, the command conducted a coordinated rescue operation at a known criminal hideout located in a remote area of Gwaida Malam village, linking parts of Numan and Demsa LGAs,” the statement explained.
“The rescue operations began on February 21, 2025, targeting various criminal hideouts across the state and yielded positive results. One Tahamado Jonathan Demian, a 34-year-old member of the same church as the victims, was arrested for the kidnapping of the two Reverend fathers,” the statement read.
The operation successfully rescued the two priests without any ransom being paid. The victims are now under medical care.
The suspect is currently in custody for further investigation.
As part of the ongoing inquiry, law enforcement has recovered a locally fabricated assault rifle, along with a mobile phone and SIM cards.
Police Commissioner CP Dankombo Morris expressed gratitude for the support received from the government, other security agencies, and the public.
He encouraged sustained cooperation and collaboration for timely responses to emergency situations, stating, “Together, we will ensure peace and security across the state and beyond through the diligent prosecution of the suspect.”
