Gunmen Kill Three, Abduct Catholic Priest in Northern Nigeria
Gunmen Kill Three, Abduct Catholic Priest in Northern Nigeria
Kaduna, Nigeria — Armed gunmen have killed at least three people and abducted a Catholic priest during a deadly early-morning attack in northern Nigeria’s Kaduna State, highlighting the persistent insecurity gripping parts of the country.
The attack occurred around dawn when the assailants stormed a community in Kauru Local Government Area, opening fire on residents and targeting homes in the area. During the raid, the parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Karku was abducted and taken away alongside several other villagers.
Church authorities confirmed the incident, describing it as a coordinated assault that left the local community traumatized. Initial reports indicate that up to 11 people may have been kidnapped during the operation.
There have been conflicting accounts regarding the fatalities. While local and church sources reported that three civilians were killed, security officials stated that the deaths occurred during a gun battle between the attackers and security forces, resulting in the loss of two soldiers and a police officer. Authorities also said some of the gunmen were killed during the exchange.
Security agencies have launched a search operation in the surrounding forests, which are often used by armed groups as hideouts. Kaduna State has long struggled with banditry, kidnappings for ransom, and attacks on rural communities, despite repeated military operations and security pledges by the government.
The incident comes amid heightened concern over attacks on religious communities in northern Nigeria. Just days earlier, security forces announced the rescue of dozens of worshippers abducted from churches in the same state, underscoring both the scale of the threat and the difficulty of fully containing it.
Community leaders and religious authorities have condemned the latest attack and called on the government to intensify security efforts and ensure the swift release of the abducted priest and other captives.
As Nigeria continues to battle armed violence across multiple regions, the Kaduna attack adds to growing calls for stronger intelligence gathering, improved rural security, and long-term solutions to address the root causes of insecurity.
