The authorities of the Seventh-day Adventist Church report that one of their pastors was kidnapped by armed men last Friday between Kuajok and Luony-Aker town in Gogrial East County of Warrap State.
According to church officials, Pastor Daniel Garang Marach Yel, also known as Daniel Marach, was abducted by armed men while en route to Luony-Aker to conduct a baptism on the Sabbath last week.
The pastor contacted his leader in Wau from Kuajok in the morning, asking for prayers before heading to Luony-Aker. At 12:07 pm, Pastor Garang called again, informing his leader that he had been kidnapped by armed men.
Pastor William Kabi, president of the Bahr El Ghazal Seventh-day Adventist churches, told Radio Tamazuj that Pastor Daniel’s abduction seemed to have taken place in Warrap State, as he had prayed for it beforehand.
“Pastor Daniel Garang was expected to be in Kuajok. On Friday, he texted me via SMS, saying, ‘Pastor William, please pray for me because I am embarking on a journey to Luony Aker town, Gogrial East County.’ Later, he called me and informed me that he was being held captive. When I asked him who had arrested him and where he was, he said he didn’t know. He mentioned being in a forest but did not specify which one,” Pastor Kabi explained.
Kabi mentioned that they have been unable to determine the whereabouts of the abducted pastor. The Kuajok office reached out to the state government but did not receive any information regarding his location.
Deng Garang Matem, a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, informed Radio Tamazuj that Pastor Daniel had expressed concerns and requested prayers from his leader in Wau. He disappeared on Friday while en route to Luony-Aker for his church duties.
“Pastor Daniel Garang is an ordained minister and was traveling to Luony-Aker town, Gogrial East County, to baptize Christians. He called his supervisor, Pastor William Kabi, to join him in prayer. At 12:07 PM, he called again to Wau and reported that he had been arrested by SSPDF and taken to Majak-tit military barracks,” Garang explained.
Garang expressed concern over Pastor Daniel’s disappearance, noting that his phone had been ringing unanswered since Friday. He mentioned that Pastor Daniel’s brother, along with a member from the Wau head office, will meet with Warrap authorities to inquire about his whereabouts.