Bandits have again struck in Kaduna State, abducting a Catholic priest and 10 other residents and killing three persons during an early-morning attack on Karku community in Kauru Local Government Area.
The victims were reportedly seized in the early hours of Saturday when the attackers stormed the community, spreading fear among residents.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Kafanchan confirmed the abduction of the priest, Reverend Father Nathaniel Asuwaye, who serves as the Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Karku.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Diocesan Chancellor, Very Reverend Father Jacob Shanet, said the church received the news with deep sorrow and called on the faithful to pray for the abducted victims.
“Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, it is with profound sadness that we announce the kidnapping of our priest, Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye, the Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Karku, in Kauru LGA of Kaduna State,” the statement read.
Shanet disclosed that the attackers invaded the priest’s residence at about 3:20 a.m., describing the incident as a violent assault carried out by armed terrorists.
He added that the priest was taken away alongside 10 other residents of the community, while three persons were killed during the attack.
“At the time of filing this report, the incident has resulted in the killing of three persons, identified as Mr. Jacob Dan’azumi, Mr. Maitala Kaura and Alhaji Kusari, in addition to those abducted,” he said.
The diocese urged priests, Christian faithful and people of goodwill to pray for the safe release of the abducted victims and also remember those who lost their lives.
“The entire Diocese of Kafanchan entrusts them to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for their speedy and safe release from the hands of these evildoers,” Shanet stated.
Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of the Northern Christian Association of Nigeria, Reverend Joseph Hayab, described the attack as disturbing, lamenting the continued rise in kidnappings despite repeated calls for action.
“This is a very sad development. Kidnapping is becoming too rampant, and it is unfortunate that the abduction of Christian priests and other citizens continues unabated,” he said.
Hayab, however, expressed hope that the abducted victims would return safely and called on security agencies to intensify efforts to stem the tide of killings and abductions across the region.
“We are praying with the Catholic Church and the parish of the kidnapped priest, while urging security agencies to take decisive steps to address this growing menace,” he added.
Efforts to get a reaction from the Kaduna State Police Command were unsuccessful as the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, had yet to respond to inquiries as of the time of filing this report.