Armed bandits have abducted a Catholic priest and 10 other residents while killing three people during an attack on Karku community in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Kafanchan confirmed that Reverend Father Nathaniel Asuwaye, Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, was among those taken in the early hours of Saturday.
In a statement issued by the Diocesan Chancellor, Very Reverend Father Jacob Shanet, the Church expressed deep sorrow over the incident and called for prayers for the victims.
“Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, with profound sadness, we announce the kidnapping of our priest, Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye, the Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Karku, Kauru LGA of Kaduna State,” Shanet said.
According to him, the attackers stormed the priest’s residence at about 3:20 a.m., with residents describing the assault as a coordinated invasion by armed terrorists.
“Fr. Nathaniel was kidnapped alongside ten other people at Karku. At the time of writing this report, the incident has resulted in the killing of three people, Mr. Jacob Dan’azumi, Mr. Maitala Kaura, and Alhaji Kusari, aside from those abducted,” he added.
The Diocese urged priests, Christian faithful, and people of goodwill to pray for the safe release of the abducted victims and for the repose of those who lost their lives.
Reacting to the attack, Chairman of the Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Joseph Hayab, described the development as distressing, warning that kidnappings remain on the rise.
“This is a sad story; the kidnapping is getting too much. It is unfortunate that the abduction of Christian priests and other citizens remains unabated,” Hayab said.
