Latest stories: Abduction

Nigeria’s Church Leaders Condemn Sunday Killing, Abduction of Christians in Kaduna Region

Church leaders in Nigeria’s Kaduna region have condemned the Sunday killing and abduction of Christians of a local church, saying the incident is an expression of the “sorry state of the security situation in the country and in particular, Kaduna State.”

Abducted Nigerian Catholic Priest Freed After Weekend Ordeal “in stable condition”

The Nigerian Catholic Priest who had been abducted Saturday, April 10 has been freed and is “in stable condition,” the leadership of his Religious Order has confirmed.

Church in Mali Recounts “beautiful” Apostolate of Colombian Nun Abducted Four Years Ago

The Catholic Church is praying for the safe release of a Colombian nun who was abducted by jihadists linked to Al-Qaeda four years ago, leaving behind what has been described as a “beautiful, wonderful project” that sought to increase literacy among women in the West African country.

Nigerian Prelate Appeals for Renewed Prayers for Abducted Bishop amid “misleading” Reports

The Archbishop of Nigeria’s Owerri Archdiocese is appealing for renewed prayers for the safety and freedom of his Auxiliary Bishop and the driver who were abducted Sunday, December 27 amid misleading information about the duo.  

Nigerian Bishop Abducted, Church Leadership Praying for His “safety, quick release”

Prayers are being sought for the “safety and quick release” of a Nigerian Catholic Bishop who was abducted December 27 in the capital of Nigeria’s Imo State, Owerri.

Nigerian Religious Cleric Abducted Tuesday “unconditionally released”

The Nigerian Religious Cleric abducted earlier this week on his way to his dad’s funeral has been “unconditionally released,” the leadership of his Religious Congregation has announced. 

Abducted Nigerian Priest Freed after 10-Day Captivity Traumatized, in Hospital

The Nigerian Priest kidnapped from a Parish of Nigeria’s Abuja Archdiocese last month who was freed Wednesday, December 2 after 10 days of captivity is traumatized and has been hospitalized, ACI Africa has been told.

What Cameroonian Cardinal was Told by His Captors During Nightlong Abduction

Details of what those behind the abduction of Christian Cardinal Tumi told him have emerged in a video shared on social media, with the Cardinal seen calm and collected as he provided responses to some of the questions from his captors.

Cameroonian Cardinal Freed After Nightlong Abduction “fine, in good health”

Christian Cardinal Tumi who was abducted Thursday, November 5 in the troubled North West region of Cameroon has been freed, a Bishop in Cameroon has told journalists Friday, November 6.

Joy, Gratitude to God as Religious Missionary in Niger is Freed after Two-year Abduction

News reports of the release of Fr. Pier Luigi Maccalli who was abducted just over two years ago in Niger have brought joy and gratitude to members of the Clergy in Africa and beyond who have interpreted the event as an answer to concerted supplications.

Nigerian Priest Abducted Sunday after Mass Has Been Freed

Nigerian priest Fr. David Echioda who was abducted by gunmen in Nigeria’s Benue State Sunday, March 1 has been freed, sources in Nigerian told ACI Africa Tuesday, March 3.

Recently Abducted Nigerian Priest, Fr. Nicolas Oboh “has regained his freedom”

The Nigerian priest who had been kidnapped by gunmen Nigeria’s Edo State towards the end of last week, Fr. Nicolas Oboh, has been freed, a message from his diocese of Uromi has confirmed.

One of Four Nigerian Seminarians Freed, Receiving Medication at Catholic Hospital

One of the four Nigerian first-year philosophy seminarians abducted January 8 from the Kaduna-based Good Shepherd Major Seminary was freed Saturday, January 18, having been dumped by the kidnappers along Nigeria’s Kaduna-Abuja highway. He was rescued by some Good Samaritans and he is receiving medication at a Catholic health facility, multiple sources have told ACI Africa.

After Days with Abductors, Two Nigerian Priests Released Unharmed

Two Catholic priests from Nigeria’s Awka Diocese, Fr. Felix Efobi and Fr. Joseph Nweke, who were kidnapped December 6 while on their way to a wedding have been released unharmed.

Another Catholic Priest in Nigeria’s Enugu Diocese Freed after Abduction

Nearly two weeks  after Fr. Arinze Madu, the Vice-Rector at Queen of Apostles Spiritual Year Seminary was abducted outside the seminary gate and  released two days later, Nigeria’s diocese of Enugu has yet again had a priest,  Fr. Theophilus Ndulue abducted and released a day later.

“I started preparing myself towards eternity,” Nigerian Priest Recounts Abduction Ordeal

Fr. Arinze Madu, the Nigerian Catholic Priest who had been abducted at the gate of Queen of Apostles Spiritual Year Seminary in Nigeria’s Enugu diocese and later released unharmed has recounted his two-day ordeal in the hands of his abductors and told ACI Africa that his safe release was God’s doing and that he had started preparing himself for eternal life.

One Year On, Missionary Priest Abducted in Niger Still Missing, Prayerful Concerns

The whereabouts of the missionary priest, Fr. Luigi Maccalli, who was abducted exactly one year ago (September 17, 2018) in the landlocked West African country of Niger remain unknown.