The parish priest of St. Joseph Catholic Church of the Kaduna Archdiocese in Nigeria has confirmed the kidnapping of the parish catechist, his pregnant wife, and over 30 other people in a bandit attack.
In an interview with Arise television, Father Linus Matthew Bobai said the Feb. 9 attack forced residents of Kutaho and Kugir communities in the Aribi ward of Kagarko, local government area (LGA) of Kaduna state, to flee.
“Bandits abducted our catechist, his pregnant wife, and 32 others in Kagarko LGA,” Bobai said of the attack that he claimed happened at midnight. “The community is under tension. Over 98% of people have gone to a nearby village. Those of us who slept in the village yesterday are not up to 40,” he added.
Bobai said those who had not fled are helpless.
“We are handicapped. The community is under tension,” the Nigerian priest said, adding: “This evening, many of them went away because of fear and all that.”
“We are very tense. Some of us are afraid but we cannot run away because we are pastors, and we encouraged a few others to stay behind and look after the community,” he said.
The attack reportedly occurred around 2 a.m. on Feb. 9, when armed bandits stormed the communities after earlier issuing threats and ransom demands to residents.
Bobai explained that despite warnings issued to community members to remain vigilant, the bandits returned as threatened, launching a coordinated attack while he was away in Kaduna procuring textbooks for St. Joseph School.
In parts of Kaduna state, residents reportedly continue to call for sustained security presence and proactive patrols to prevent further attacks.
On Jan. 20, Christin Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), a U.K.-based human rights organization, called on Nigerian authorities to secure the release of 167 worshippers who had reportedly been abducted during coordinated attacks on three churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru LGA of Kaduna state.
CSW officials expressed concern that the Adara people of Kajuru LGA had especially been under sustained attack since their traditional ruler, the Agom Adara III, Dr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima, was abducted and murdered by Fulani assailants in 2018, despite payment of a ransom.
Officials of the Christian entity recounted that on Jan. 11, over 20 people were abducted from the community and were only freed after paying around 7 million Naira ($4,932) in ransom.
The entity further recounted that earlier, on Jan. 2, a church leader, Rev. Philip Adamu, was among four people who were abducted from Ungwan Danladi village in Kajuru LGA by assailants who spoke Fulfude, the Fulani language.
CSW officials described the repeated attacks as a failure of government responsibility, warning that rural communities are being driven deeper into poverty by ransom payments and forced displacement.
Attacks in Nigeria, most of them targeting Christian and farming communities, have prompted President Donald Trump to designate Nigeria a country of particular concern.
This story was first published by ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, and has been adapted by EWTN News English.
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