Suspected bandits have abducted a Catholic priest and 10 other residents and killed three persons during a fresh attack on Karku community in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Kafanchan confirmed on Saturday that the Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Karku, Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye, was among those taken by the attackers.
In a statement, the Diocesan Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Jacob Shanet, said the assailants invaded the community in the early hours of Saturday and stormed the priest’s residence at about 3:20 a.m.
Shanet said Fr. Asuwaye was abducted alongside 10 other villagers during what residents described as a coordinated attack by armed men.
He added that three persons identified as Mr. Jacob Dan’azumi, Mr. Maitala Kaura and Alhaji Kusari were killed during the incident.
The diocese expressed deep sorrow over the attack and called on priests, the Christian faithful and people of goodwill to pray for the safe release of the abducted victims.
“The entire Diocese of Kafanchan entrusts them to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for their speedy and safe release from the hands of these evildoers,” the statement read.
Reacting, the Chairman of the Northern Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Joseph Hayab, described the incident as disturbing, saying kidnappings and killings had continued despite repeated calls for action.
Hayab urged security agencies to intensify efforts to stem the rising wave of abductions, while expressing hope that the victims would return safely.
Efforts to get a reaction from the Kaduna State Police Command were unsuccessful as the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, did not respond to enquiries as of the time of filing this report.
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