Gun violence and religious targeting returned to northern Nigeria last Friday when gunmen struck Kaduna state, abducting two Catholic priests during a church-related event. Local church leaders confirmed that one priest was released after a ransom was paid, while the other priest was found dead shortly after the abduction. The reports, attributed to the Church of Nigeria, describe a brutal sequence that has intensified concerns about security in the region.
Officials announced that Reverend Fr. Donatus Cleophas survived his captors and rejoined his community. In stark contrast, the body of Reverend John Mark Cheitnum was discovered later, and church leaders described the discovery as a grisly homicide. The diocese of Kafanchan communicated the information and conveyed the profound sorrow felt by the clergy and parishioners. Details circulated by church authorities indicate that Father Cheitnum was killed the same day he was abducted, on a rural road near a Kaduna village, as Christian clergy members were traveling to attend a church function.
According to statements given to media outlets, including accounts shared with the British broadcaster BBC, the Kaduna Christian Association head, Reverend John Joseph Hayab, confirmed that negotiations led to a ransom payment. The amount, he noted, did not align with the original demand, and authorities were able to locate the bodies of the perpetrators in connection with the case. The ongoing investigation highlights the troubling possibility that the attackers used the abduction as a means to exert pressure on religious communities and local institutions.
In expressing their condolences, church officials urged prayers for the families affected and called on the community to refrain from vigilante actions. The diocese declared a two-day period of mourning to honor the lives lost and to provide space for reflection and healing. The supporters emphasized that peace and lawful action should guide responses to such violence, and they urged leaders and congregants to stand firm against intimidation and retaliation.
Since May, reports have surfaced of multiple kidnappings targeting Christian clergy in Nigeria, with a significant number occurring in the Catholic community. At least a dozen clergy members have been abducted in various parts of the country, and several have been killed. Security challenges have long plagued Nigeria, particularly in the northeast in recent years, but the spread of violence into northern and northwestern regions has prompted renewed alarm about the reach of criminal networks and potential links to terrorist activity. The incident in Kaduna underscores the vulnerability of religious institutions and the urgent need for coordinated protection measures, community support, and transparent prosecutions to deter future attacks. It also highlights the impact on families, parish communities, and the broader social fabric as the country grapples with persistent insecurity and calls for improved governance and security responses.