Catholic Priest Abducted in Kaduna as insecurities surges

In another distressing incident highlighting Nigeria’s escalating security challenges, Reverend Father Ibrahim Amos, a Catholic priest serving at Saint Gerald’s Quasi Parish in Kurmin Risga, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has been reportedly abducted by bandits.

The abduction, which occurred earlier today at the priest’s residence, was confirmed in an official statement by Reverend Father Jacob Shanet, Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan. While local police authorities have not yet confirmed the incident, the Diocese has urged the public to remain calm and continue to pray for Father Amos’s safe return.

Fr. Shanet described the kidnapping as “deeply saddening,” especially as it follows the recent killing of another priest, Reverend Father Sylvester Okechukwu, who was abducted and murdered less than two months ago in Kaura LGA, also under the Diocese of Kafanchan.

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“We are doing everything within our power—through legitimate and peaceful means—to secure his safe and swift release,” Fr. Shanet added.

This incident adds to the growing list of abductions and killings plaguing communities across Kaduna State and much of northwest and central Nigeria, where armed groups—commonly referred to as bandits—have turned rural regions into zones of fear.

These gangs, operating from dense forests that span Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger states, have become notorious for mass kidnappings, attacks on villages, and the targeting of religious leaders and schools. In January, 21 community militiamen were killed in an ambush in nearby Katsina, emphasizing the dangers security personnel and volunteers face.

In response to persistent insecurity, Katsina State in 2023 launched the Katsina Community Watch Corps (KCWC)—a 2,000-member local militia group aimed at supporting national security forces.

The repeated targeting of religious leaders not only threatens lives but also strikes at the heart of communal and spiritual life in these vulnerable areas. As the nation watches closely, many are calling for stronger security reforms, better rural protection, and proactive peace-building strategies.

We continue to pray for Reverend Father Ibrahim Amos’s safety and urge the government and security forces to intensify efforts to curb these recurring tragedies.