In a powerful testament to faith, unity, and resilience, Reverend Father Ibrahim Amos, the parish priest of Saint Gerald’s Quasi Catholic Parish in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has been released from captivity—just hours after he was abducted by armed assailants.
His freedom was confirmed late Thursday night in an official statement issued by the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Reverend Father Jacob Shanet.
According to the statement, Father Amos was released around 10:00 p.m. on the same day he was taken—a development met with profound relief and jubilation by the church and local community. While the circumstances of his release remain undisclosed, the tone of the announcement was one of deep gratitude and restored hope.
“We give thanks to God for the safe return of our beloved brother, Rev. Fr. Ibrahim Amos,” Father Shanet said. “We are also immensely grateful to the security operatives, the faithful, and all people of goodwill whose prayers and concern strengthened our resolve through this trying moment.”
The priest was abducted from his residence in the quiet hours of Thursday morning, sending shockwaves through the Catholic community and the wider Kaduna State, which has been plagued by persistent insecurity.
In a moving reflection, Father Shanet described the outpouring of love and solidarity as a reflection of the Church’s enduring spirit and the collective belief in the sanctity of human life.
“This experience has reminded us that we do not stand alone in our mission to uphold the dignity of life,” he noted. “Your prayers and compassion bore witness to the strength of our shared humanity.”
As Father Amos reunites with his parishioners, his safe return brings renewed attention to the need for stronger security and protection for clergy and citizens alike, especially in regions struggling with banditry and violence.
While the scars of the ordeal may take time to heal, the swift return of the priest is being hailed as a miracle of grace—and a signal that no act of darkness can extinguish the light of collective faith.
