Kidnapped Nigerian Catholic Priest Regains Freedom, “in good spirits”, after 51 Days in Captivity

“We thank all of you for your prayers and solidarity during this trying moment,” the Nigerian Catholic Bishop says.

He implores, “May Our Blessed Mother, who always intercedes for us, continue to cover us with her maternal love and protection.”

During the June 1 attack, a Maiduguri Diocesan staff member identified as Zion was killed by suspected Boko Haram militants near Limankara, a town on the dangerous border between Adamawa and Borno States in Northeastern Nigeria.

Fr. Afina was headed to Maiduguri to attend a capacity-building meeting organized by JDPC, in collaboration with one of its NGO partners, such as Catholic Relief Services (CRS). He was accompanied by two JDPC staff members.

While traveling along the Bama road, an area notorious for insurgent activity, the group was ambushed by suspected Boko Haram militants.

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A third staff member, identified as Thomas Patrick, managed to escape to safety and received health and psychological support.

Following the incident, members of the Clergy, women, and men Religious traveling to the city of Maiduguri in Northeastern Nigeria were directed to avoid the shortcut road “between Mubi through Gwoza” due to an upsurge in cases of targeted abductions.

Insecurity is rife in Nigeria, where kidnappings, murder, and other forms of persecution against Christians remain rampant in many parts of the West African country, especially in the north.

Boko Haram, one of the largest Islamist groups in Africa, has been orchestrating indiscriminate terrorist attacks on various targets in the region, including religious and political groups as well as civilians.

The insecurity situation in many other parts of the country has further been complicated by the involvement of the predominantly Muslim Fulani herdsmen, also referred to as the Fulani Militia.

A series of killings and kidnappings have targeted Priests in Africa’s most populous nation.

On July 10, three Seminarians were kidnapped in an armed attack on Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi in Nigeria. Christopher Aweneghieme, a security guard at the Seminary, was killed. The Seminarians are yet to be released.

Members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) have repeatedly denounced the killings and abductions in the West African nation, and challenged the government to prioritize the safeguarding of human life.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.