US EditionNigerian Catholic priest who had recently served in the US abducted by extremists, church says
- On June 1, 2025, Boko Haram/ISWAP militants kidnapped a Catholic priest named Daniel Afina along with nine additional individuals on the Gwoza-Limankara Road in Borno State, Nigeria.
- The abduction took place when Afina, a project coordinator for a Christian NGO, and two colleagues were traveling back from Mubi after attending a wedding, and their vehicle was attacked by terrorists.
- During the attack, the terrorists killed one staff member on the spot, allowed the priest to contact his family to confirm the kidnapping, but have not demanded ransom or made further contact since.
- Bishop John Bogna Bakeni and a senior Christian Association of Nigeria official confirmed the kidnapping and urged government action, while Rev. Robert Fath received a call from Boko Haram confirming Afina's capture.
- The incident highlights continuing violence by Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria, where armed groups have displaced millions and killed thousands amid ongoing security challenges.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Nigerian Catholic Priest Abducted by Boko Haram in Borno State - teleSUR English
Rev. Alphonsus Afina, a Nigerian Catholic priest who previously served in the United States, was kidnapped by Boko Haram on June 1 near Gwoza, close to the Cameroon border, according to Bishop John Bogna Bakeni of Maiduguri. Afina was traveling from Mubi to Maiduguri for a workshop when his convoy was ambushed by armed men while waiting at a military checkpoint. A rocket-propelled grenade struck one of the vehicles, killing one person and injuri…
Nigerian bishop calls for prayers after kidnapping of beloved priest
A Nigerian bishop is asking the faithful to pray for the safe return of Father Alphonsus Afina, a priest who formerly served in remote Alaskan parishes… The post Nigerian bishop calls for prayers after kidnapping of beloved priest appeared first on CatholicVote org.
Boko Haram kidnaps Nigerian Priest near Cameroon border
The priest was traveling from the city of Mubi, where he is based, to Maidiguri, the capital of Borno, for a workshop when his convoy was ambushed by armed men while waiting for clearance at a military checkpoint,
Associated Press News
Nigerian Catholic priest who had recently served in the US abducted by extremists, church says
Church officials say a Nigerian Catholic priest who recently served the United States has been abducted by extremists along with other travelers in northeast Nigeria’s Borno state.
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