Another Catholic Priest ∆bducted in Kaduna as !nsecurity Deepens

Another Catholic Priest Abducted in Kaduna as Insecurity Deepens

Nigeria’s worsening security crisis has taken another troubling turn as yet another Catholic priest has reportedly been abducted in Kaduna State. Reverend Father Bobbi Paschal, the Parish Priest of Saint Stephen Parish, Kushe Gugdu, in Kagarko Local Government Area, was allegedly kidnapped in the early hours of Monday, November 17, 2025.
According to local sources, armed men believed to be Islamic terrorists stormed the parish community at dawn, forcefully taking the priest from his residence. The incident has sparked fear among residents, many of whom say the attack occurred without any prior warning or confrontation.
Father Paschal’s abduction adds to the growing list of clergy targeted in the region, raising fresh concerns about the safety of religious leaders and worshippers in a state long plagued by banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping-for-ransom operations. Kaduna, particularly its southern axis, has endured repeated attacks in recent years, with communities often left feeling helpless amid slow or inadequate security responses.
Church authorities are yet to issue an official statement, but parish members and local vigilante groups are said to be coordinating with security agencies in hopes of securing the priest’s safe return. As of the time of this report, no group has claimed responsibility, and the abductors have not made contact regarding ransom demands.
The incident has once again ignited debates about the Nigerian government’s handling of insecurity, especially as religious institutions continue to come under attack. Many Nigerians are calling for urgent and decisive action to disrupt the operations of terrorist cells operating across Kaduna and other northern states.
Residents of Kagarko LGA are appealing for prayers, solidarity, and swift intervention, even as anxiety grows within the Christian community and the wider public.