by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The abducted Catholic Priest of St. Raymond’s Catholic Church, Damba, Gusau, in Zamfara State, Rev Fr Mikah Suleiman, has pleaded with well-meaning Nigerians to help save his life. The clergyman made the appeal in a viral video trending on social media.
Rev Fr Suleiman was abducted in the early hours of Saturday, June 22, 2024, while at the Rectory in Damba, Gusau.
In the 51-second video clip, Fr Suleiman said he is the only one being held captive by the bandits, adding that he is as beaten and tied with ropes. “I am pleading for help to be freed from this place. They (bandits) told me that they don’t keep people for long here. People don’t stay for up to a week.
“The bandits told me that killing a person is not difficult to them. They said they are just helping me by keeping me. Please, I am asking for help,” the clergyman said in the video.
“Please, save my life, in the name of God. Look at my head, look at my legs. I was tied with rope and I am the only one in this place.
“Normally, if they kidnapped somebody, they don’t waste time. If ransom is not paid immediately, they kill the person. Please, for God’s sake, help me, help me,” he pleaded.
Rev Fr Suleiman was dressed in a T-shirt, with boxer shorts and sat on the ground, while his captors stood off camera as the video was being recorded.
A few seconds to the end of the video, a stick from one of the bandits standing off the camera was seen touching his head.