Christians in Nigeria are rejoicing after a Catholic priest who was kidnapped earlier this month, has been freed.
Father Benson Bulus Luka was abducted from his residence on 13th September, becoming the latest victim of attacks against Christians in the Kaduna State.
The chancellor of Kafanchan diocese, in northern Nigeria, Fr Emmanuel Uchechukwu, told ACI Africa: "With hearts filled with joy, we raise our voices in a symphony of praises as we announce the return of our priest, Rev Fr Benson Bulus Luka.
"Barely 24 hours after his kidnap, our beloved brother priest was released by his abductors."
Fr Uchechukwu continued by thanking all of those who joined in prayer for the release of Fr Benson.
"We want to thank all those that have offered prayers and entreaties for the quick release of our brother priest and others who are still in the dens of their kidnappers," he said. "We pray to God to hasten the release of those who are still in the hands of their captors."
"May Our Lady of Guadalupe intercede for us and all those that are still in captivity," he concluded.
Nigeria ranks number nine in Open Doors' list of countries where Christians are persecuted the most.
Last month, Catholic Bishops in Nigeria called on the Government to act and "take full responsibility for the present culture of violence" while bishops in the UK condemned the violence after Human Rights Without Frontiers reported at least 3,462 Christians had been "hacked to death" during the last 200 days.
