Adamawa State Police Command of the Nigeria Police Force has arrested a 34-year-old church member, Tahamado Demian, over the allegation of kidnapping of two of his Catholic priests, Reverend Fathers Abraham Samman of the Jalingo Diocese and Matthew Dusami of the Yola Diocese.

Adamawa State Police Command in a statement issued and made available on his X social media platform on Saturday by the Command Spokesperson, Suleiman Nguroje indicated that the kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt at Gwaida Malam village in Adamawa.

Adding that the rescue operations commenced since February 21, 2025 and the rescued victims are currently receiving medical attention at the hospital.

Emphasizing that no ransom or money was paid for the kidnapped Reverend Fathers to regain their freedom.

The Police Press Release stated that the rescue mission took place at a criminal hideout in Gwaida Malam village, a remote area between Numan and Demsa local government areas. And the operation led to the Church member, Demian’s arrest.

The police said it also recovered a locally-fabricated assault rifle, a handset, and multiple Sim cards during the operation.

In quote, the statement reads thus, “In a bid to ensure protection of lives and property, a safe and secured environment in the state, the command carried out a coordinated rescue operation at a particular criminal hideout situated at a remote side of Gwaida Malam village connecting part of Numan and Demsa Local Government Areas.

“These rescue operations, commenced from 21st February, 2025, in various criminal hideouts within the state and it yielded positive results as one Tahamado Jonathan Demian, 34 years old, a member of the same church, with the victims was arrested for kidnapping of his two Reverend fathers (Abraham Samman and Matthew David Dusami) of Catholic Dioceses of Yola and Jalingo respectively.

“The command’s planned operation had successfully rescued the two Reverend fathers unhurt and no dime is paid as ransom. The victims are now receiving medical attention.

“The suspect was apprehended and now taking into custody for discreet investigation. Investigation so far has led to the recovery of one locally fabricated Assault rifle, two handsets and sim cards.

“The Commissioner of Police, Dankombo Morris, expressed gratitude for the support the command is receiving from the government, sister security agencies and the public.

“He therefore encouraged them to sustain the cooperation and collaboration for timely response to emergency situations. The police boss added that together, we will ensure peace and security across the state and beyond through diligent prosecution of the suspect.”.

SaharaReporters had reported how the suspect, Tahamado Jonathan Demian, said to be an altar servant of the church carried out the crime, locked the victims inside the room and demanded for ₦10 million ransom for their release.

SaharaReporters reported that it learnt that “the altar servant had allegedly masterminded the abduction of the two priests and demanded ₦10 million as ransom.

The two Catholic Church priests who were kidnapped penultimate week in Adamawa State were on Saturday evening found tied in a house belonging to one of the Church’s altar servants, SaharaReporters has learnt.

An altar servant provides sundry services to a Roman Catholic priest while performing mass.

On February 22, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that two Catholic Church priests were on that Saturday kidnapped in Adamawa State.

The two clerics were reportedly abducted at a convent in Gwaida Mallam in the Numan Local Government Area of the state.

As further gathered, Demian had gone to a location to pick up the ₦10 million ransom, but abandoned it and escaped after suspecting he could be caught.

“Upon suspecting that there were security operatives around, he abandoned the ransom and ran away leaving his motorcycle behind as evidence.

“Security operatives took the motorcycle and it was identified as the altar servant’s own. Thereafter his house was forced open and the two priests were found locked up on a room and rescued,” one of the operatives told SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity for lack of authority to speak to the press.

The bishop of Yola diocese, Dr. Stephen Dami Mamza, has also confirmed the rescue of the priests in a statement he personally signed.

Mamza however declined comment on the role of the altar servant.

The clergymen are said to be serving in Adamawa and Taraba diocese of the Catholic Church.

The Spokesperson for the Adamawa State Police Command, SP Suleiman Nguroje, had confirmed the abduction in a statement the command issued.

He had said, “The Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, Dankombo Morris, has condemned vehemently an unprovoked kidnapping of Reverend father Mathew David Dusami of Yola Catholic Diocese and Reverend father Abraham Samman of Jalingo Diocese, at the early hours of today, February 22nd, 2025.

“The unfortunate incident occurred at the priests’ residence situated at Gwaida Mallam, in Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State”.

He had explained that the suspects armed with offensive weapons stormed their victims’ house around 4am and whisked them away”.