Bishop Mamza Denies Arrested Kidnapper of Catholic Priests Was a Mass Server or Cleric
By Ojoma Yusuf,Yola
The Bishop of Yola Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Stephen Dami Mamza, has refuted claims that Taledo Damian, the recently arrested suspect in the kidnapping of two Catholic priests, was a mass server or cleric within the diocese.
Speaking at a press conference in Yola, Bishop Mamza clarified that while the suspect was a member of the church, he did not hold any official role. The bishop stressed the importance of correcting the misinformation to safeguard the integrity of those who serve the church in official capacities.
“I want to make it absolutely clear that the kidnapper is not a mass server, nor is he a cleric. He is simply a member of the church. There has been a lot of misinformation about his identity, and it is important to correct this,” Bishop Mamza stated.
He emphasized that mass servers and clerics play vital roles in church activities and that linking them to criminal acts without proper verification could damage their reputation.
The bishop also commended the Department of State Services (DSS) and local vigilante groups for their efforts in rescuing the two abducted priests without any ransom payment. He expressed gratitude for their swift and professional response, which led to the successful operation.
“I sincerely appreciate the DSS and the vigilante group in Numan for their hard work. They carried out the rescue operation, and I am truly grateful for their dedication,” he added.
Providing further details, Bishop Mamza explained that security operatives had been actively involved in tracking the kidnappers since the priests were abducted.
The rescue, according to him, was executed when the DSS and vigilante team stormed the house where the priests were being held.
He also revealed that the suspect was initially able to escape but later had an accident while fleeing on a motorcycle. He then attempted to surrender himself to the DSS but was instead taken into police custody.
Following their rescue, the two priests—Rev. Father Mathew David Dusami of Yola Catholic Diocese and Rev. Father Abraham Samman of Jalingo Diocese—underwent medical examinations and were confirmed to be in stable condition.
The bishop assured that all evidence recovered from the suspect was now with the DSS.
The priests were abducted on February 22, 2025, from the residence of Father Dusami in Gwaida Malam, a suburb of Numan town.
Bishop Mamza reiterated the church’s commitment to working closely with security agencies to ensure the continued safety of clergy members and worshippers.
