Fresh Attacks in Kaduna Claim Lives, Priest and Imam Abducted

Kaduna State was hit by fresh violence on Saturday as suspected bandits kidnapped a Catholic priest and 11 other individuals, while killing three residents during an early morning assault on Karku community in Kauru Local Government Area.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Kafanchan confirmed that Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye, parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Karku, was abducted alongside 10 villagers. The attack, which occurred around 3:20 am, also claimed the lives of three locals identified as Jacob Dan’azumi, Maitala Kaura, and Alhaji Kusari.

In a separate incident, the Chief Imam of Janjala Central Mosque, Bello Abdullahi, and a Fulani community leader, Shehu Bello, were abducted from Kagarko Local Government Area. Residents reported that armed men invaded several villages, including Iddo and Kohoto, rustling cattle and forcing families to flee.

The Chancellor of the Kafanchan Diocese, Jacob Shanet, appealed for prayers for the safe return of the captives. “This terrible event has resulted in the killing of three people, aside from those abducted,” he stated.

Rev. Joseph Hayab, Chairman of the Northern Christian Association of Nigeria, described the attack as another grim reminder of the deteriorating security in the region.

Security sources confirmed that joint military and police teams have been deployed and engaged the attackers in gun battles in the Kauru area. “We believe the bandits have not left the area. With God’s help, we are hopeful they will be apprehended,” a police source said.

The abductions follow reports that bandits had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum for a ₦6 million ransom for a previously kidnapped woman and her four children a deadline that passed without intervention.

Efforts to reach the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, for comment were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.