Police in Arusha, Tanzania, are investigating a suspected abduction involving a local priest. Pastor Steven Jacob, aged 35, of the Church of Christ Ministry, was reportedly picked up by unidentified individuals and was only found the next day in West Kilimanjaro by local farm guards.
Pastor Jacob disappeared on the morning of May 16th, 2025, and was found a day later on May 17 in the Siha District of Kilimanjaro Region
His church is located in the FFU neighbourhood in Muriet Ward, Arusha
Arusha Regional Police Commander Justine Masejo has since confirmed the incident and has launched investigations into the matter.
‘’We are still carrying out investigations to determine the facts of the matter. We want to know the truth and whether this was an actual abduction or if there were personal issues involved. We will issue a full statement once the investigation is complete,” said Commander Masejo
However, a month later, Pastor Jacob’s family has yet to get any further updates on the investigation status.
‘’The police came and recorded statements on the day he was found, but since then, we haven’t received any updates. We haven’t taken any other steps. We’re praying and focusing on his recovery at home,” said Mr Gumbo, Pst. Jacobs’ father
In a candid sit-down interview with local publications, Pastor Jacob recounted how individuals who abducted him posed as police officers but failed to show identification. They allegedly claimed they were taking him to a police station, but instead blindfolded and handcuffed him.
‘’I realized I was being abducted when they refused to let me inform anyone and didn’t show any IDs. They put two cloths over my face, handcuffed me, and forced me into a vehicle,” he said.
He said his captors took him to a remote area in West Kilimanjaro, where they confiscated his phones and demanded he delete certain videos posted on his YouTube channel.
‘’I didn’t have an active data bundle at the time, so they sent someone to buy one while one of them stayed with me. They beat me and asked questions I’d rather not discuss. They told me to lie on the ground and step on my neck before leaving with my phone,” he said
After they left, the pastor said he crawled to a nearby road and attempted to flag down passing vehicles. While initial motorists did not stop, he was eventually assisted by farm guards responsible for preventing elephants from invading the area.
‘’I told them I was an online worker and had been kidnapped. One of them was hesitant to get involved, but they eventually helped. They gave me a phone so I could let people know I was alive,” he said.
He was later taken to a camp, but the guards reportedly relocated him after learning that the abductors had returned, seemingly searching for him again.
The case comes amid growing concern over incidents of abduction in Tanzania. In a separate case, Chadema activist Mdude Nyagali has been missing since May 2, 2025, after reportedly being attacked and abducted at his home. Several youths, such as Deus Soka, Jacob Mlai, and Frank Mbise, were abducted, and since then, their whereabouts are yet to be unknown
Police have yet to issue conclusive findings on either case
