Bandits attacked the Southern Kaduna area of Kaduna State early Monday morning, kidnapping a Catholic priest and several villagers, and killing one person.
According to the Kaduna Catholic Archdiocese, the attackers invaded Kushe Gugdu village in Kagarko Local Government Area and stormed St. Stephen Parish.
They abducted the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Bobbo Paschal, from his residence.
In a message to priests, the Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Christian Okewu Emmanuel, confirmed the attack. He explained that many villagers were also kidnapped and that the brother of another priest, Rev. Fr. Anthony Yero, was killed.
He called on the public to pray for the safe release of the victims and for the soul of the deceased.
In a related development, Amnesty International earlier urged the Nigerian government to take immediate action to rescue 12 people, including a pastor, kidnapped in another recent attack in Gidan Waya, Lere LGA of Kaduna State. The attack, which happened on November 11, left four people dead.
Amnesty International condemned the growing insecurity in northern Nigeria, saying the government has repeatedly failed to protect rural communities.
The organisation noted that children aged 13, 14, and 15 were among those abducted.
According to Amnesty, many parts of northern Nigeria such as Plateau, Zamfara, Southern Kaduna, Benue, and Katsina have suffered years of violent attacks, kidnappings, and displacement. Farmers and their families have been forced to abandon their homes since 2016 due to constant threats from armed groups.
The human rights body said only a coordinated, rights-focused security plan and justice for offenders can end the cycle of violence affecting these rural communities.
