Kidnapped Nigerian Priest Still Alive, Catholic Archdiocese Clarifies after Social Media Accounts of Cleric’s Murder

Fr. Okewu said the Archdiocese of Kaduna “remains grateful for the prayers and support from the faithful and the general public.”

He urged everyone to “continue in solidarity of prayers for Fr. Paschal and others in custody of the abductors.”

“Any further updates not communicated through our official channel of communication should be disregarded,” the Chancellor of the Nigerian Catholic Archdiocese said.

Fr. Paschal was abducted in the early hours of November 17 from his residence when gunmen attacked St. Stephen Parish of Kaduna Catholic Archdiocese.

In a statement issued November 17, Fr. Okewu said that “during the attack, numerous people were kidnapped, and Fr. Anthony Yero’s brother was killed.”

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He called upon “all men and women of goodwill to join us in praying for their safety and quick release from the hands of their abductors, and for the peaceful repose of the dead. Amen.”

Nigeria has been battling with a surge of violence orchestrated by gangs, whose members carry out indiscriminate attacks, kidnapping for ransom, and in some cases, killing.

Boko Haram insurgency has been a major challenge in the country since 2009, a group that allegedly aims to turn Africa's most populous nation into an Islamic nation.

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.

The abduction of Fr. Paschal follows a series of other kidnappings that have targeted members of the Clergy in Africa’s most populous nation.

In July, three minor Seminarians were abducted during an armed attack on Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Auchi. All three endured months of torture despite pleas with abductors and the paying of ransoms.

Two of the Seminarians later regained their freedom, while the third died in captivity.

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.