Gunmen attacked a parish in Nigeria’s Kafanchan Diocese on Saturday, killing three people and abducting eleven others, including the parish priest. Source: Crux.
The chancellor of Kafanchan Diocese, Fr Jacob Shanet, confirmed the attack in a statement.
“With profound sadness,” the statement said, “we announce the kidnapping of our priest, Rev Fr Nathaniel Asuwaye, the parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Karku, Kauru LGA of Kaduna State, Nigeria.”
The statement said the incident occurred at about 3.20am West African Time at the parish priest’s residence and cited villager testimony that called the attack “an act of invasion by a group of terrorists”.
“We kindly invite all priests, Christian faithful, and men and women of good will to pray for Fr Nathaniel, the other 10 people and the repose of the souls of those who were killed during the attack,” the statement said.
“The entire Diocese of Kafanchan entrusts them to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of all priests and help of Christians, for their speedy and safe release from the hands of these evildoers,” the chancellor’s statement said.
On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV condemned the violence in Nigeria and called on authorities “to work with determination to ensure the safety and protection of the life of every citizen.”
The incident in Kafanchan Diocese underscores the escalating insecurity plaguing Nigeria, where gangs, Boko Haram insurgents, and Fulani militiamen frequently carry out attacks, kidnappings, and killings.
On February 3, more than two hundred people were killed in terrorist attacks targeting remote villages in Kwara, Katsina and Benue states.
In a brutal 22-hour assault, terrorists massacred at least 162 people in Nigeria’s Kwara state alone, including women and children.
The attack, which began on February 3 in the Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama Local Government Area, claimed the lives of many victims who were found executed with their hands bound and their throats slit.
In addition to the killings, an unknown number of women and children were abducted.
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Gunmen abduct priest and 10 others in deadly raid on Kaduna church (By Ngala Killian Chimtom, Crux)
