Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan in Southern Kaduna has announced the release of Reverend Father Nathaniel Asuwaye, who was abducted from his residence on February 7, 2026, and held in an unknown location for over three months. The diocesan chancellor, Very Reverend Father Jacob Shanet, confirmed the priest’s release in a statement issued on May 12, 2026, bringing to an end a painful chapter that had gripped the Catholic community and residents of Southern Kaduna in anxiety and prayer.
Rev. Fr. Asuwaye was kidnapped in the early hours of February 7, 2026, when armed men suspected to be terrorists stormed his residence. The assailants did not stop at taking the priest; they also seized ten parishioners from the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Karku, Kauru Local Government Area. Three people were reportedly killed during the attack, which spread fear and mourning across the community. The priest and his fellow captives were dragged into the surrounding bush, and for months, their families and the Diocese had no clear information about their condition or whereabouts.
According to the Diocese, Fr. Asuwaye is currently safe, stable, and receiving medical care after his release. The statement expressed profound gratitude to God and appreciated everyone who supported the Church through prayers and encouragement during the difficult period. The Diocese also thanked Christians, religious leaders, and well‑wishers for their solidarity and support while the priest remained in captivity. Special prayer sessions and May devotions had been organised for his safe return, and Bishop Julius Yakubu Kundi of the Kafanchan Diocese described the support from the public as overwhelming and encouraging.
The attack on Fr. Asuwaye’s rectory was part of a worrying wave of violence targeting religious leaders and worshippers in Kaduna State. In recent years, Southern Kaduna has witnessed repeated attacks on Catholic and Protestant clergy, with priests and pastors abducted for ransom or killed. The region, which is predominantly Christian, has also suffered from communal clashes, farmer‑herder conflicts, and banditry. The kidnapping of Fr. Asuwaye came just months after a similar incident in which a Catholic priest was abducted from the same area and later released after a ransom payment. The pattern has left many worshippers questioning their safety and has forced some parishes to suspend night vigils and outdoor services.
Fr. Asuwaye’s release, however, has brought a measure of relief. While the Diocese did not disclose whether any ransom was paid or whether the other kidnapped parishioners were also freed, the statement confirmed that the priest is now safe. The Diocese urged residents to stay united, vigilant, and prayerful amid the ongoing security challenges affecting Kaduna State and other parts of Nigeria. “We are grateful for the outpouring of support. May God continue to protect our clergy and our people,” the statement read.
Bishop Julius Yakubu Kundi personally visited Fr. Asuwaye after his release and described the reunion as emotional. “It is like a dream. We prayed for this day, and God answered,” the Bishop told local reporters. He also appealed to the government to intensify efforts to secure the release of the remaining captives and to bring the perpetrators to justice. The Bishop reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to peace and dialogue but insisted that the state must take primary responsibility for protecting its citizens.
The security situation in Kaduna State remains volatile. According to the Nigeria Security Tracker, over 1,200 people were killed in the state between January 2025 and April 2026, with kidnapping for ransom accounting for a significant number of incidents. In Kauru LGA alone, where Fr. Asuwaye was serving, several villages have been abandoned due to repeated attacks. Many residents now sleep in neighbouring communities or send their children away to safer towns. The Kaduna State Government has repeatedly announced security measures, including the recruitment of community guards and the deployment of additional police and military units, but attacks have continued.
The Catholic Church has become increasingly vocal in its criticism of the government’s handling of insecurity. The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria has issued several statements condemning attacks on Christians and demanding that the government take urgent action to protect lives and property. The kidnapping of Fr. Asuwaye and the killing of three parishioners in the same attack were cited in a letter to the National Security Adviser. The Bishops have also called for a comprehensive investigation into the funding and arming of bandit groups.
For the parishioners of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Karku, the release of their priest is a moment of fragile hope. Many of them lost relatives in the February attack, and they still await news of the ten parishioners who were kidnapped alongside Fr. Asuwaye. A church elder, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Stone Reporters News that the community is “still in darkness” about the fate of the others. “We thank God for Father’s return, but our hearts are heavy. There are still families waiting for their loved ones,” he said.
The Diocese has not disclosed the details of Fr. Asuwaye’s release. It remains unclear whether the priest was freed through a security operation, a ransom payment, or a combination of both. The police and military authorities have not issued official statements clarifying the circumstances. The silence has led to speculation, but the Diocese has urged faithful to focus on gratitude and prayer rather than speculation.
As Fr. Asuwaye recuperates, the Diocese of Kafanchan has announced that a thanksgiving Mass will be held once the priest has fully recovered. The event is expected to draw thousands of worshippers who will celebrate his freedom and pray for the release of the remaining captives. In the meantime, Bishop Kundi has called on the government to “leave no stone unturned” in the search for the kidnappers and to ensure that the security of religious leaders is prioritised.
The release of Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye is a reminder that while some stories of abduction end in tragedy, others conclude with the sound of a priest walking back into his congregation. But the silence that follows the celebration is also a question: how many more members of the flock must be kidnapped before the nation’s leaders decide that the war on terror is not just about soldiers and bandits, but about the sanctity of every house of worship and every home?
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments