- Archdiocese urges prayers
The Archdiocese of Kaduna has confirmed the abduction of a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Bobbo Paschal, following an attack on Kushe Gugdu village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State in the early hours of Monday, November 17, 2025.
In an official notice issued by the Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Christian Okewu Emmanuel, the Church disclosed that armed men invaded the community and whisked away Fr. Paschal, who serves as the Parish Priest of St. Stephen Catholic Parish, Kushe Gugdu.
According to the statement, several other residents were also abducted during the attack, while Mr. Gideon Markus, the brother of another priest, Rev. Fr. Anthony Yero, was killed.
“We call on 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,” the Chancellor stated.
The archdiocese has not reported any other fatalities at this time.
However, the Archdiocese appealed for calm and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the priest and others taken by the attackers.
On October 31, 2025, the United States government announced the re-designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act.
The decision followed mounting reports of escalating violence and the Nigerian government’s continued inability to safeguard religious minorities, particularly Christian communities, from targeted attacks and persecution.
Kaduna State has suffered repeated attacks on rural communities in recent months, with many residents calling for stronger security measures to curb rising incidents of kidnapping and violence.
