Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza of the Yola Catholic Diocese has dismissed claims that Taledo Damian, the suspect arrested for kidnapping two Catholic priests, was ever a mass server or cleric in the church.
Speaking at a press conference in Yola, Bishop Mamza clarified that while the suspect was a church member, he never held any official role.
“I want to make it absolutely clear—this individual was neither a mass server nor a cleric. There has been a lot of misinformation, and it’s important to set the record straight,” the bishop stated.
He stressed that spreading false reports could unfairly damage the reputation of mass servers and clergy members.
“Mass servers play a crucial role in church activities, and their integrity should not be tainted by misinformation,” he added.
Bishop Mamza praised security operatives, particularly the Department of State Services (DSS) and local vigilante groups, for their swift and professional efforts in rescuing the kidnapped priests.
“I sincerely commend the DSS and the vigilante team in Numan for their dedication. They carried out the rescue mission effectively, and we are truly grateful,” he said.
According to him, security forces had been tracking the kidnappers since the abduction of Rev. Father Mathew David Dusami of Yola Catholic Diocese and Rev. Father Abraham Samman of Jalingo Diocese on February 22, 2025.
The suspect was reportedly caught while attempting to collect ransom but initially managed to escape. However, he later had an accident on his motorcycle and fled on foot before eventually surrendering—though he was taken into police custody instead of the DSS.
Bishop Mamza assured that both priests had undergone medical checkups and were in stable condition. He also confirmed that all evidence collected from the suspect was now in DSS custody.
Reaffirming the church’s commitment to working closely with security agencies, he emphasized the need for continued vigilance to ensure the safety of clergy members and worshippers.
