February 8, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
Suspected armed bandits have carried out a deadly raid on Karku village in the Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing at least three people and abducting a Catholic priest along with ten other residents, local church authorities and residents confirmed on Saturday morning.
According to a statement released by the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, the attackers struck at approximately 3:20 a.m. (WAT), storming Holy Trinity Catholic Church and the priest’s residence before seizing Reverend Father Nathaniel Asuwaye, the parish priest, and ten other villagers in the early-morning assault.
The diocesan chancellor, Very Reverend Father Jacob Shanet, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and confirmed that three civilians identified as Jacob Dan’azumi, Maitala Kaura, and Alhaji Kusari were killed during the chaos, with the attack leaving the community in shock and fear.
Local sources also reported that initial fatalities included security officers and members of a local vigilante group who were caught up in the violence, and additional villagers were wounded and rushed to a hospital following the assault.
The raid underscores the persistent insecurity in parts of northern and central Nigeria, where armed gangs and bandits routinely target rural communities for kidnapping, ransom and terror attacks. The spate of violence has drawn international concern, particularly over the safety of religious leaders and civilians in vulnerable regions.
Church leaders have called on prayers and support from the wider community for the safe release of Father Asuwaye and the other abductees, while reiterating their condemnation of violence and lawlessness that have continued to plague rural areas of Kaduna State.
As of the latest reports, security forces were yet to announce a coordinated rescue operation, and details on the condition and whereabouts of those kidnapped remain scarce.