FATHER Peter Amodu was walking to the Holy Ghost Parish in Southern Nigeria on July 6.
He never arrived for the 5pm Mass.
Gunmen kidnapped the priest along the Otukpo highway in Benue State.
The chancellor of the Oktupo Diocese confirmed Fr Amodu was released unharmed four days later.
Aid to the Church reported Fr Amodu was one of 18 Nigerian Catholic priests kidnapped this year.
Ondo Bishop Jude Arogundade said the Catholic Church in Nigeria is a threat and a strategic target for radicalised Muslim Fulani herdsmen and Islamic terror groups.
“The Catholic priests represent an international institution with a prominent message that challenges the message of terrorists,” he said.
“Because of the Church’s worldwide prominence and structure, an attack in even the most obscure locations guarantees the international media attention that terrorists want.”
Africa Security and Strategic Studies Geneva director David Otto said the Catholic Church was targeted because of monetary reasons, with ransoms as high as $200,000.
“It’s the simple reason, because the bandits are all about money,” he said.
The Nigerian Diocesan Catholic Priests Association criticised the ongoing attacks and the Nigerian government’s lack of response in a statement this week.
“It is really sad that in the course of their normal pastoral activities, priests have become an endangered species,” the statement said.
“As already observed by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, it is clear to the nation that (the Government) has failed in (its) primary duty of protecting the lives of the Nigerian citizens.”
Kaduna Bishop Matthew Ndagoso blamed “inept law enforcement” for the escalating attacks on priests and parishes.
“Those assigned with the responsibility of securing our country must tell us why they have failed,” he said.
“So many of my parishioners have been kidnapped that I can longer count.
“So many and every day.”
