Three Killed, Priest and 11 Others Abducted in Fresh Kaduna Attacks

Kaduna State witnessed renewed violence on Saturday as gunmen believed to be bandits carried out multiple attacks, resulting in the abduction of a Catholic priest and 11 others, while three people were killed in Karku community, Kauru Local Government Area.

In a separate incident in Kagarko Local Government Area, the Chief Imam of Janjala Central Mosque, Bello Abdullahi, and a Fulani community leader, Shehu Bello, were also taken by the attackers.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Kafanchan later confirmed that the abducted cleric is Reverend Father Nathaniel Asuwaye, who serves as the parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Karku. The incident, which occurred around 3:20 am on Saturday, was described by residents as a coordinated invasion by heavily armed terrorists who stormed the community, shot sporadically and whisked their victims away.

The Chancellor of the Kafanchan Diocese, Jacob Shanet, announced the abduction in a statement on Saturday, calling on Christians and people of goodwill to pray for the victims.

“Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, with deep sorrow, 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,” Shanet said.

He added that the priest was abducted alongside 10 other residents during the attack, which left three people dead.

The deceased were identified as Jacob Dan’azumi, Maitala Kaura and Alhaji Kusari.

According to the diocese, the attackers invaded the priest’s residence and nearby homes, leaving the community in shock and fear.

“This terrible event has resulted in the killing of three people, aside from those abducted,” Shanet lamented.

The diocese urged prayers for the safe release of the abducted victims, saying, “We invite all priests, Christian faithful and men and women of goodwill to pray for Fr Nathaniel, the other abducted persons and for the repose of the souls of those killed.”

Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of the Northern Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev Joseph Hayab, described the attack as another grim reminder of the worsening security situation in the region.

“This is a sad story. The kidnapping of Christian priests and innocent citizens is becoming unbearable despite all efforts to curb this evil,” Hayab said.

Security sources at the Kaduna State Police Command said a joint team of the military and police had engaged the attackers in gun battles in the Kauru axis.