Adamawa State Police Command has arrested 34-year-old Tahamado Demian for his alleged role in the kidnapping of two Catholic priests—Reverend Fathers Abraham Samman of the Jalingo Diocese and Matthew Dusami of the Yola Diocese.
According to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Suleiman Nguroje, shared on X.com on Saturday night, a coordinated rescue operation was launched on February 21, 2025, at a criminal hideout in Gwaida Malam village, located between Numan and Demsa Local Government Areas. The operation successfully rescued both priests, who are now receiving medical care, and no ransom was paid.
During the rescue, the police recovered a locally fabricated assault rifle, two handsets, and multiple SIM cards. The suspect, a member of the same church as the victims, has been taken into custody for further investigation.
Commissioner of Police Dankombo Morris expressed gratitude for the support received from the government, sister security agencies, and the public, urging continued cooperation to ensure timely responses to emergencies. He affirmed that the diligent prosecution of the suspect will contribute to maintaining peace and security across the state.
