Father Gabriel is the sixth priest to be kidnapped in Nigeria this year alone. The other five were all released unharmed. Unknown assailants kidnapped a Catholic priest from his parish in Kaduna State, north-west Nigeria, on Sunday, 9 June.

Father Gabriel Ukeh was taken from the rectory at St Thomas’s Parish, Zaman Dabo, in the early hours, according to a statement released by Father Emmanuel Faweh Kazah, vicar general at Kafanchan Diocese.

In the statement sent to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Father Kazah asked for prayers for Father Ukeh’s “urgent and safe release” and condemned the “incessant kidnappings for ransom of innocent and defenceless citizens of our communities”.

He also called on the Government to improve its security intelligence.

Father Kazah added: “As we work with security operatives for his quick release, we wish to call on all to stay away from taking the laws into their hands. We will use every legitimate means to ensure that [Father Ukeh] comes back to us safe and sound.”

The statement concluded: “Through the intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Priests and Religious, may Jesus the crucified hearken to our prayers and hasten the unconditional release of his priest and [all] other abducted persons.”

The diocese has not released any details about the abductors’ identities.