Three Sentenced to Death for Kidnapping Priests in Adamawa

A High Court in Yola, Adamawa State, sentenced three individuals (Taledo Damiel, Namomai Medan, and Mikaila Yusuf) to death by hanging or lethal injection for the kidnapping of Rev. Fr. Mathew Dutsemi and Rev. Fr. Abraham Sauman at the Parish House of Saint Anne Catholic Church, Gweda Mallam. The court, presided over by Justice Christopher Dominic Mapeo, also imposed various prison sentences for related offenses.

The convicts were sentenced to 14 years each for criminal conspiracy to commit kidnapping, life imprisonment for kidnapping, and 21 years each for robbery while armed with offensive weapons. The kidnapping occurred on or about 21 February 2025, when the convicts, armed with guns and a knife, invaded the parish house, held the priests for 15 days, and robbed them of valuables.

The prosecution presented seven witnesses and 19 exhibits during the trial, which concluded with the defendants pleading not guilty to the charges on 2 May 2025.