Gunmen attacked a Catholic priest’s residence in the Kauru local government area of Kaduna state in northwest Nigeria early Saturday, according to church officials, killing three villagers and abducting 11 people, including the priest. The Kaduna Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan said the assault happened at about 3 a.m.
In a notice, the diocese described the attack as “an act of invasion by a group of terrorists.” Church officials also urged prayers for the victims and for the safe release of those taken hostage.
The AP reported that authorities did not immediately provide details about what prompted the attack in Kaduna or about any rescue efforts. The reporting also noted that it was the latest incident in a broader surge of violence across Nigeria’s conflict-battered north.
The diocese’s account placed the attack in the context of other recent incidents in Kaduna. In January, more than 150 Christians were abducted from three churches in another part of Kaduna, and the abducted people were released this week, according to the report. The same period also saw at least 160 people, mostly Muslims, killed by Islamic extremists in Kwara state after refusing to be indoctrinated, the report said.
Analysts cited by AP said armed groups have expanded their operations southward in recent months. They said the groups were previously concentrated farther north, but have moved their activities as military pressure and territorial competition among groups intensify.
The report said Nigeria’s security crisis has also drawn international attention, including criticism from the U.S. government that Nigeria has not protected Christians. The AP said that criticism has led to a security partnership involving U.S. strikes targeting armed groups in Nigeria in December and the presence of a small team of American forces in the country.
President Bola Tinubu, elected in 2023 after promising to end the crisis, has faced pressure to respond as the violence involving kidnapping and lethal attacks continues, the AP report said.