By Sunday Elijah
Armed bandits launched a brutal attack in Kaduna State early hours of Monday, November 17, 2025, abducting Catholic priest Rev. Fr. Bobbo Paschal, killing the brother of another priest, and kidnapping many more in a chilling escalation of violence targeting Christian communities.
The assailants stormed the residence of Rev. Fr. Bobbo Paschal, Parish Priest of St. Stephen Parish in Kushe Gugdu, Kagarko Local Government Area, seizing him amidst gunfire and chaos.
In the same assault, the brother of Rev. Fr. Anthony Yero was killed, and scores of parishioners were abducted, according to an official statement from the Archdiocese of Kaduna.
Church authorities immediately called on all people of goodwill to join in prayer for the safety and swift release of the hostages and for the peaceful repose of the dead.
This latest act follows a harrowing trend: According to Vatican News, Nigeria has witnessed 145 priests kidnapped and 11 killed in the last decade, with Kaduna State emerging as the nation’s deadliest region for Catholic clergy.
Religious leaders and human rights organizations point to systematic, ongoing religious persecution—confirmed by the United States government’s recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act.
The Archdiocese of Kaduna—along with aid agencies—warns of an acute crisis driven by organized criminality, religious intolerance, and escalating violence, with churches burned and worshippers slaughtered in broad daylight.
As authorities scramble to address this mounting threat, Christian communities across the region are left in mourning, fear, and uncertainty, demanding security and justice in the face of relentless attacks.
