Israeli Expat Killed in Nigeria in Kidnapping Attempt; Catholic Priest Kidnapped in Kogi State

A 42-year old Israeli expat - Mr. Nir Rosmarin, who was working for a construction firm and said to be active in the Jewish community of Abuja, Nigeria has died after being shot in the head while trying to flee a group of assailants.

“[Rosmarin] was a dear friend of ours" and “a dear friend of the Chabad center and a dear friend of many others," said Rabbi Israel Uzan, co-director of Chabad Lubavitch of Nigeria, Chabad.org reported.

Efforts are reportedly being made to bring Rosmarin's body back to Israel for burial.

“Judaism places a premium on respecting those of us who are most vulnerable, those who are no longer alive. As the home to the Godly soul, which is literally a part of God, we believe that the body must be accorded the highest form of dignity," Uzan said.

Source: jns.org

In a related development, a catholic priest was also kidnapped in Kogi State.

Catholic faithful in Kogi have been thrown into confusion, following the abduction of Rev. Father Gabriel Oyaka yesterday along Okene-Auchi Road when the priest was travelling from Abuja to Onitsha, Anambra State.

According to information from Rev Father Patrick, who spoke to LEADERSHIP on phone in Lokoja yesterday, the kidnappers stopped the priest, abducted him and left the car on the road at about 12noon yesterday with guns and took him away.

Rev Father Patrick said several hours of search in the bush around the scene did not yield any result. He added that the abductors are yet to demand for any ransom, calling on security operatives to take necessary action in order to rescue the priest.

The kidnappers, who did not say what was responsible for the kidnapping of the Rev Father, were said to have capitalised on the absence of policemen in dark spots along the road.

Attempts to get response from the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) proved abortive as the lines could not get through at press time.

Source:

Leadership Newspaper