Pope expresses sorrow and urges protection of civilians after deadly attacks in Nigeria

At the Sunday Angelus in Rome, Pope Leo XIV voiced deep sorrow and concern over a renewed wave of violence in Nigeria, where recent attacks have left dozens of people dead and many more abducted. Addressing the faithful, the Pope said he was spiritually close to all those affected by violence and terrorism and called on authorities to act decisively to safeguard human life.

The Pope’s remarks followed reports of a particularly devastating attack on the evening of 3 February in the village of Woro, in Nigeria’s central western region, where at least 160 people were killed. The scale of the violence has shocked the country and drawn renewed international attention to Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, especially in rural and religiously mixed areas.

Speaking after the Angelus prayer, Pope Leo said he had learned of the attacks with sorrow and concern, emphasizing that every life lost represents a tragedy for families and communities. He expressed hope that national and local authorities would continue to work with determination to ensure the safety and protection of every citizen, regardless of region or religious affiliation.

The violence has not been confined to one area. In recent days, a new round of attacks and abductions has been reported in Kaduna State, where at least 51 people were abducted and six killed during assaults on four different villages. Security sources cited by international media say these attacks occurred mainly in the southern part of the state, an area with a large Christian population. Earlier in January, more than 180 people were abducted in the same region before being released in recent days, highlighting the persistent threat faced by local communities.

One of the most alarming incidents involved an attack on the Catholic community of Karku, in the Kajuru local government area. Armed men abducted 11 people, including a Catholic priest, and killed three others during a nighttime raid. The Catholic Archdiocese of Kafanchan confirmed that Father Nathaniel Asuwaye, parish priest of Holy Trinity Church in Karku, was taken from his residence around 3 a.m. Witnesses described the assault as a coordinated invasion by armed attackers, leaving the local community traumatized and fearful.

In response to the escalating violence, which includes attacks by jihadist groups such as Boko Haram as well as raids by heavily armed criminal gangs, Nigeria’s federal government has announced new security measures. On the orders of President Bola Tinubu, an army battalion has been deployed to the Kaiama district in an effort to stabilize the area and deter further attacks.

During the same Angelus address, Pope Leo also prayed for victims of human trafficking worldwide and for people affected by floods and landslides in parts of Spain, Morocco, Portugal and Sicily. His appeal for Nigeria, however, stood out as a strong moral call for peace, protection of civilians and renewed commitment to human dignity in the face of persistent violence.