Gunmen Abduct Catholic Priest and Slay Three in Kaduna

Armed men have taken hostage a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye, along with ten other individuals in the Karku community located within the Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The priest, serving at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, was forcibly taken from his home during an early morning raid that began around 3:20 a.m. on Friday.

A statement from the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Jacob Shanet, condemned the event as a violent incursion by the armed assailants.

The Diocese also reported that three community members tragically lost their lives during the attack. The deceased have been named as Mr. Jacob Dan’azumi, Mr. Maitala Kaura, and Alhaji Kusari.

The statement further detailed how the gunmen descended on the area in large numbers, instilling fear and confusion among the local population before abducting the priest and other victims, transporting them to an undisclosed location.

Although security forces have not yet released an official statement regarding the incident, the Diocese has urged clergy and concerned citizens to increase their prayers for the safe return of Rev. Fr. Asuwaye and the other captives.

In response to the situation, security sources confirmed that agents have commenced a structured hunt for the perpetrators and have deployed forces to the Kauru region to prevent additional violence.

Efforts to obtain an official comment from the Kaduna State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the Police Public Relations Officer did not respond to calls made during the drafting of this report.