Gunmen carried out a deadly early morning raid on a Catholic parish in northern Nigeria, killing three people and abducting 11 others, including a priest, in yet another attack underscoring the country’s worsening security crisis. The assault targeted Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Karku village, located in Kaduna State, a region that has repeatedly witnessed violence against rural communities and religious institutions.
The parish priest, Father Nathaniel Asuwaye, was taken during the attack, which occurred around 3.20 a.m. at his residence within the parish compound. The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its chancellor, describing the raid as a violent invasion carried out by armed attackers. Alongside the priest, ten parishioners were also abducted, while three others lost their lives during the assault.
Local residents said the attackers struck under the cover of darkness, overpowering the area before fleeing with their captives. Shock and grief have since spread across the local Christian community, with many expressing despair at what they see as a complete breakdown of security. Lay faithful have called for constant prayer, saying that communities feel increasingly unprotected and abandoned.
The Diocese of Kafanchan urged Catholics and people of goodwill to pray for the safe return of the abducted priest and parishioners, while also remembering those killed in the attack. The diocese entrusted the victims to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, asking for strength and protection amid fear and uncertainty.
The attack comes as part of a wider wave of violence across several Nigerian states. In recent days, large-scale assaults on remote villages in Kwara, Katsina, and Benue states have left hundreds dead, including women and children. In one particularly brutal incident in Kwara State, attackers reportedly carried out executions over many hours, leaving behind scenes of devastation and mass displacement.
On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV condemned the violence in Nigeria, expressing sorrow over the loss of life and calling on authorities to act decisively to protect citizens. His appeal echoed growing concern from church leaders and civil society groups who warn that persistent insecurity is eroding trust in state institutions.
Nigeria has faced years of violence linked to armed gangs, jihadist insurgents such as Boko Haram,m and other militant groups. Despite military operations and international cooperation, attacks, kidnappings, and killings continue to spread, particularly in rural and religiously diverse areas. Human rights organizations report that clergy and Christian communities have become frequent targets, intensifying fears of religiously motivated violence.
Advocacy groups tracking the conflict say the scale of killings over the past decade is staggering, with tens of thousands of civilians dead and many more displaced. They warn that without meaningful reforms, accountability,ity and improved protection for vulnerable communities, the cycle of violence will persist.
For Catholics in Kaduna and beyond, the abduction of Father Asuwaye is not just another statistic. It is a painful reminder of daily insecurity and a call for urgent action to restore safety, dignity, and peace to communities that feel trapped in a field of grief.
