The Catholic community in Kaduna has been thrown into panic following the abduction of Reverend Father Emmanuel Ezema, a priest of the Zaria Diocese, who was whisked away by unknown gunmen late Tuesday night.

The Diocese of Zaria confirmed the disturbing development on Wednesday, in an official notice signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Isek Augustine.

According to the statement, Fr. Ezema was kidnapped around 11:30 pm from his residence at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Rumi, sending shock waves across the parish and the entire Christian community.

“We regret to officially announce the abduction of our priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ezema… We call on all men and women of goodwill to pray for the safe and quick release of our priest and others from the hands of their abductors,” the Diocese said.

The Church also invoked the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, expressing hope that the priest would “return to us safe and sound.”

The kidnapping comes at a time when insecurity is once again spiking across Nigeria.

UGAMATV reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency on security, as criminal attacks, abductions, and violent raids continue to spread across various states.

Fr. Ezema’s abduction adds to the growing list of clergy targeted by armed groups in recent months, raising renewed concerns over the safety of religious institutions in the country.