AFRICA/NIGERIA - Terror, killings, and kidnappings persist. The Pope appeals to “competent authorities”

Kafanchan (Agenzia Fides) – “It is with sorrow and concern that I learned of the recent attacks against various communities in Nigeria leading to a heavy loss of life.” With these words, Pope Leo XIV drew attention to the latest episodes of the spiral of violence, with massacres and kidnappings, that continues to sow pain and terror among the population of large areas of Nigeria.

In his remarks delivered today, Sunday, February 8, after reciting the Angelus prayer from the window of his study in the Apostolic Palace, the Pontiff expressed his “prayerful closeness to all the victims of violence and terrorism” in Nigeria, and expressed his hope that “the competent Authorities will continue to work with determination to ensure the safety and protection of the life of every citizen.”

Among the recent and tragic episodes of violence recalled by Leo XIV was the attack on the Catholic community of Karku, in the Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, which left three people dead and ten others kidnapped, including Father Nathaniel Asuwaye (in the photo).

During the night between Friday, February 6th and Saturday, February 7, at approximately 3:20 a.m., according to a statement released by Jacob Shanet, Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, a group of armed men, described as "terrorists" by the villagers, attacked Karku and kidnapped Father Nathaniel, a priest of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, along with ten other people. During the same attack, three men were killed, whose names—Jacob Dan'azumi, Maitala Kaura, and Alhaji Kusari—are listed in the brief report released by the diocesan Chancellor, who has invited everyone to pray "for Father Nathaniel, for the other ten people kidnapped, and for the eternal rest of those killed during the attack."

In recent days, according to information leaked by Nigerian intelligence agencies and disseminated by international news agencies, other attacks carried out by armed groups against villages in the same area have resulted in the deaths of three people and the kidnapping of 40 others. (GV) (Agenzia Fides, 8/2/2026)

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kidnappings

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violence

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terrorism

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local churches

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priests

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