Catholic priest leaves priesthood, weds Kenyan woman after 12 years in Kenya

Italian-born former Catholic priest Sandro Ferretto has left the Catholic priesthood and married his Kenyan partner, Sharon Jepng’ok, after spending about 12 years serving as a missionary in Baringo County, Kenya.

Ferretto, 55, married Jepng’ok on September 6, 2026, at Seretion Village in Kasiela, Baringo South, in a traditional Koito wedding ceremony conducted in accordance with Kalenjin customs.

The marriage has attracted significant attention after videos and photographs from the ceremony, including footage of Ferretto dancing with his bride, circulated widely on social media.

Ferretto previously served as a Catholic parish priest in Kasiela and Mochongoi, where he reportedly became closely connected with residents during his years of pastoral and missionary work.

According to reports, the Italian-born cleric arrived in Kenya in 2008 after being ordained for the Diocese of Padua in Italy. He subsequently served under the Diocese of Nyahururu, working in communities across Baringo County.

During his years in Kenya, Ferretto was involved in pastoral activities and community programmes and became a familiar figure among residents, many of whom knew him as Father Sandro.

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It was during his missionary service in Baringo that Ferretto reportedly met Sharon Jepng’ok, a Kenyan woman from the area. Their relationship later developed, eventually leading to his decision to leave active priestly ministry and pursue a different path in his personal life.

Ferretto returned to Italy in December 2020, where he later took up a pastoral assignment in Saletto, Borgo Veneto. By 2023, reports indicated that he had stepped away from his pastoral responsibilities and taken time for personal reflection.

He subsequently returned to Kenya, where he reunited with Jepng’ok and eventually formalised their relationship through marriage.

The couple’s wedding was marked by a Koito ceremony, an important traditional rite among the Kalenjin people that involves family participation, customary negotiations and blessings for the couple.

The ceremony at Seretion Village brought together relatives, friends and members of the local community. Ferretto also participated in the traditional celebrations, with videos from the event showing him dancing alongside his bride.

The wedding has generated discussion because of Ferretto’s previous position as a Catholic priest and the Church’s longstanding discipline regarding priestly celibacy.

In the Latin Catholic tradition, priests are ordinarily required to observe celibacy and are not permitted to marry while remaining in the clerical state. A priest who seeks to leave the clerical state and marry must go through the appropriate Church process.

However, publicly available reports have not provided sufficient details to establish the exact canonical status of Ferretto’s departure from the priesthood or whether the Catholic Church has issued a formal statement regarding his marriage.

Ferretto’s story has nevertheless drawn considerable attention because of his long association with Kenya. After spending more than a decade working as a missionary and parish priest in Baringo, he has now begun a new chapter of his life with Jepng’ok.

The former priest’s transition from missionary service to marriage has sparked widespread interest online, particularly among people familiar with his years of service in the Baringo community.

His wedding also highlights the personal connections that can develop between missionaries and the communities where they spend many years serving, with Ferretto ultimately choosing to celebrate his marriage according to the traditions of the Kenyan community where he had spent a significant part of his life.

Catholic priest leaves priesthood, weds Kenyan woman after 12 years in Kenya

Oyoland Grand Chief Imam Celebrates Dr Sharafudeen Raji for Service to Islam

OYO — The Grand Chief Imam of Oyoland, Fodhilatu Shaykh Bilaal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, has honoured renowned Islamic scholar and educationist, Dr Sharafudeen Gbadebo Raji, for his outstanding contributions to Islamic scholarship, teaching, da’wah and the development of Islamic educational institutions.

The Grand Chief Imam described Dr Raji’s years of commitment to the propagation of Islamic knowledge as worthy of recognition, saying his efforts had continued to impact Muslims within and outside Oyo State.

The recognition was announced by the Office of the Grand Chief Imam of Oyoland on Saturday, September 6, 2026, in Oyo State.

Dr Raji, who is the founder and director of Al-Madeenah Islamic Centre and Al-Madeenah Academy, Ogbomoso, has over the years established himself as a prominent voice in Islamic education and da’wah.

The Grand Chief Imam’s office particularly praised his efforts to make Islamic knowledge accessible to Muslims through lectures and educational materials shared on digital and social media platforms.

The scholar was also commended for his approach to explaining complex Islamic jurisprudence and fiqh issues in a manner that ordinary Muslims can understand, often drawing on practical examples and relatable illustrations.

His teachings, according to the statement, consistently emphasise adherence to the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah in matters of faith, worship and everyday conduct.

Dr Raji’s academic credentials were also highlighted during the celebration. He reportedly obtained a First-Class honours degree from the Islamic University of Madinah, Saudi Arabia, and graduated third in his class globally.

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The achievement, the Office of the Grand Chief Imam said, reflected his dedication to academic excellence and Islamic scholarship.

Beyond his academic accomplishments, Dr Raji was recognised for his ability to communicate Islamic teachings across linguistic and cultural boundaries. His proficiency in Yoruba, Hausa, Arabic and English has enabled him to reach diverse audiences in Nigeria and beyond.

In his congratulatory message, Shaykh Akeugberu described the contribution of Islamic scholars and teachers to the preservation and transmission of beneficial knowledge as invaluable to the Muslim Ummah.

He said public recognition of scholars who dedicate their lives to serving Islam and humanity should be encouraged as a means of appreciating their sacrifices and inspiring younger generations.

The Grand Chief Imam noted that the responsibility of scholars goes beyond acquiring knowledge, stressing the importance of transmitting beneficial knowledge to present and future generations.

The celebration of Dr Raji was therefore presented as a recognition not only of his academic achievements but also of his years of teaching, da’wah and institutional development.

The Grand Chief Imam prayed for Allah’s continued protection and preservation of Dr Raji, asking for good health, strength, increased beneficial knowledge and wisdom.

He further prayed that Allah would keep the scholar firm upon the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah, bless his family, students and institutions, and make his scholarship a lasting source of benefit to generations yet unborn.

The Office of the Grand Chief Imam of Oyoland extended its warm congratulations to Dr Raji, wishing him long life, good health and continued strength in his service to Islam and humanity.

The message ended with prayers for the scholar: “Ameen Ya Rabbal-‘Alamin.”

Oyoland Grand Chief Imam Celebrates Dr Sharafudeen Raji for Service to Islam

11 feared killed as terrorists invade Adamawa community

At least 11 people are feared dead after suspected terrorists attacked Zaranga village in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State in the early hours of Monday, leaving residents dead, homes burnt and several people missing.

The attackers reportedly invaded the community while residents were asleep, opening fire on people before setting several houses ablaze.

The assault sent residents fleeing for safety, with some reportedly escaping into nearby bushes and surrounding forests as the attackers moved through the community.

A resident who spoke by telephone on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media said 11 bodies had been recovered following the attack.

“For now, 11 dead bodies have been recovered. Many people are still missing. Search teams and security personnel are in the forest searching for the missing people,” the resident said.

The resident said the search operation was continuing, raising fears that the death toll could increase if more victims are found.

Another resident described the attack as a devastating loss to his family, saying his wife and two other relatives were among those killed.

“My wife and two of my family members were also killed during the early morning invasion of my village,” he said.

The identities of the attackers could not be independently established at the time of reporting, although residents described them as suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

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The Adamawa State Police Command had yet to officially confirm the reported casualty figure as of the time of filing this report.

Repeated calls to the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, seeking confirmation of the attack and details of the security response were reportedly unanswered.

The circumstances surrounding the attack, including the number of attackers involved and whether security personnel engaged them during or after the assault, were also unclear.

The latest incident has renewed concerns about the security of rural communities in Gombi LGA, an area that has suffered deadly attacks and other forms of insecurity in the past.

In April 2026, at least 29 people were killed in attacks on Guyaku and Telabala communities in Gombi Local Government Area, highlighting the persistent security challenges facing communities in the area.

The latest attack underscores the continuing challenges faced by communities in Adamawa State, particularly settlements located in remote areas where security response can be difficult.

Gombi has historically faced threats linked to Boko Haram and other armed groups, with previous attacks forcing residents to flee their homes and disrupting farming and other economic activities.

Security agencies have continued counter-terrorism operations in the North-East, including efforts to identify and disrupt terrorist networks operating across Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

However, the reported attack on Zaranga has once again raised questions about the protection of vulnerable rural communities and the need for faster responses to security threats.

For families in Zaranga, the immediate priority remains locating residents who are still missing and establishing the full extent of the casualties and destruction.

The reported figure of 11 deaths remains provisional pending official confirmation by the police or other security authorities. The number could change as search teams continue efforts to locate missing residents and recover possible additional victims.

The incident is expected to further heighten security concerns in Gombi and neighbouring communities, where residents have repeatedly called for stronger protection against attacks by armed groups.

Authorities are yet to issue a comprehensive statement on the Zaranga incident, including whether any suspects have been identified or arrested.

As security personnel and community members continue search operations, residents are hoping for the safe return of those still unaccounted for and stronger measures to prevent another attack.

11 feared killed as terrorists invade Adamawa community