The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested a 34-year-old church member, Tahamado Demian, for allegedly kidnapping two Catholic priests—Reverend Fathers Abraham Samman of the Jalingo Diocese and Matthew Dusami of the Yola Diocese.
The command’s spokesperson, Suleiman Nguroje, disclosed this in a statement shared on X.com on Saturday night. According to the statement, the rescue operation took place at a criminal hideout in Gwaida Malam village, a remote area between Numan and Demsa local government areas. The coordinated mission, launched on February 21, 2025, led to Demian’s arrest.
The police successfully rescued the victims unharmed without any ransom being paid. They are currently receiving medical care. During the operation, security operatives recovered a locally fabricated assault rifle, a handset, and multiple SIM cards.
The statement read in part:
“In a bid to ensure the protection of lives and property, as well as a safe and secure environment in the state, the command carried out a coordinated rescue operation at a criminal hideout in Gwaida Malam village, a remote area linking parts of Numan and Demsa LGAs.”
“The operation, which began on February 21, 2025, in various criminal hideouts, yielded positive results as one Tahamado Jonathan Demian, 34, a member of the same church as the victims, was arrested for the kidnapping of his two reverend fathers.”
“The command’s planned operation successfully rescued the two priests unharmed, with no ransom paid. The victims are now receiving medical attention. The suspect has been taken into custody for further investigation, which has so far led to the recovery of a locally fabricated assault rifle, two handsets, and multiple SIM cards.”
The Commissioner of Police, Dankombo Morris, expressed gratitude for the support from the government, sister security agencies, and the public. He urged continued cooperation to ensure swift responses to emergencies, emphasizing the commitment to maintaining peace and security across the state through the diligent prosecution of the suspect.
