Kaduna — Southern Kaduna once again finds itself at the epicentre of brutal banditry following reports that armed militants abducted a Catholic priest and several other residents, while allegedly killing the priest’s brother. The incident underscores a disturbing escalation of attacks in the region, raising urgent calls for stronger security interventions.
Sources familiar with the attack told Sahara Reporters that the assailants struck in the dead of night, targeting a rural community where the priest resided. According to locals, the priest and his brother were both taken — but only one was later found dead. The identity of the cleric and his sibling has not been confirmed by authorities.
Residents expressed deep alarm at the incident, describing the bandits as increasingly bold and ruthless. “They came in numbers,” one community member said, “and they knew who the priest was.” The abduction has sparked fears among other religious leaders in the area, many of whom say they’ve received little protection despite repeated attacks.
This latest raid follows a surge in violence across Kaduna State. Earlier this month, bandits attacked a southern Kaduna community, killing at least five residents. Human rights groups have repeatedly criticised the government for failing to stem the tide of kidnappings and killings, arguing that the insecurity disproportionately affects vulnerable, rural Christian communities.
Local authorities have not yet issued a detailed response, and it remains unclear whether any rescue efforts are underway. Meanwhile, elders in the affected community are calling on both the Kaduna State Government and federal security forces to urgently intervene — warning that without swift action, the violence may spiral further out of control.
The abduction and killing have reignited debates about the role of preventive patrols, intelligence-gathering, and the need for community-based early-warning systems in Kaduna’s most afflicted areas. As of now, the fate of the kidnapped priest remains unknown, and residents are bracing for possible reprisals.