Attackers kill three and kidnap a Catholic priest in Kaduna, highlighting Nigeria’s persistent security crisis as rights groups condemn government failures.
BAUCHI: Gunmen killed three people and abducted a Catholic priest during an early morning raid on a church residence in northern Nigeria’s Kaduna state.
The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan identified the kidnapped clergyman as Nathaniel Asuwaye, parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Karku.
The diocese stated the attack began around 3:20 a.m. on Saturday in the Kauru district, with ten others abducted alongside the priest.
It confirmed three local residents were killed during the assault.
A Kaduna police spokesperson gave a conflicting account, stating five people were kidnapped including the priest.
The police said the three fatalities were two soldiers and a police officer killed during a pursuit and firefight with the attackers.
Security forces have cordoned off the area following the incident.
This attack underscores persistent insecurity in the region, occurring days after security services rescued 166 worshippers abducted from two other churches in Kaduna.
Rights group Amnesty International accused the government of “gross incompetence” and failure to protect civilians.
It said Nigeria’s security crisis was “increasingly getting out of hand” as gunmen terrorise rural communities across northern states.
Attacks in the region have drawn international attention, including from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has accused Nigeria’s government of failing to protect Christians.
U.S. forces struck what they described as terrorist targets in northwestern Nigeria on December 25.
