The 27-year-old Tanzanian Melkiori Dominick Mahinini who was kidnapped in Nigeria and held for ransom of $70,000 has been freed.
The Major Seminarian hails from Kabanga Parish in the Kigoma Region and was sent to study in Nigeria by the Missionaries of Africa.
On August 3, 2023, Mahinini was kidnapped by unidentified assailants in an attack at Saint Luke Gyedna Parish in Minna Province.
Along with Burkinabe priest Fr. Paul Sanogo, the two were kidnapped and held hostage for about three weeks.
Dr. Benson Bana, Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, reported yesterday that the two were released early on Wednesday in a secure manner.
They were undergoing a medical check-up at a local health centre since they “passed through difficult and dangerous moments during the time they were in captivity”.
“I would like to thank the government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, the Federal Government of Nigeria for the efforts they have put in collaboration with the High Commissioner’s office and leaders of the Catholic Church in the Minna Province that prompted release through diplomatic methods,” Dr Bana said.
“Other procedures including Melkiori’s possibility of returning home to see his parents and society in general will be communicated later, but we are thankful to Kigoma and Mina Diocese Bishops for prayers as well as the Tanzania diaspora in Nigeria for prayers and following up the incident.”
The two Major Seminarians were rescued on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, according to a statement from the Missionaries of Africa, who also noted that they were both fine, alive, and healthy despite the traumatic experience they had while in the hands of their captors.
