Gunmen Kill One, Abduct Catholic Priest, Others in Kaduna Attack

Gunmen launched a deadly assault on Kushe Gugdu in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State in the early hours of Monday, killing one person and abducting a Catholic priest along with several other residents. The attack, carried out shortly before dawn, sent shockwaves through the community and added to the growing tally of violent raids in the region.

The incident was confirmed in a letter issued by Rev. Fr. Christian Okewu Emmanuel, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Kaduna. He reported that the assailants stormed the residence of Rev. Fr. Bobbo Paschal, parish priest of St. Stephen Parish, and took him away during the raid. The attackers also abducted an unspecified number of residents from the area.

According to the statement, the violence resulted in the killing of the brother of Rev. Fr. Anthony Yero, who was reportedly shot during the invasion. Local sources said the raid lasted several minutes, with the attackers firing sporadically before fleeing with their captives into the surrounding forest.

This attack adds to a worrying escalation of insecurity across northern Nigeria, where armed groups have continued to target rural communities, religious leaders, and travellers. Many residents of Kagarko LGA have repeatedly raised concerns about the frequency of raids and the slow pace of response from security authorities.

In a separate incident occurring around the same time in Kebbi State, bandits invaded Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko district of Danko/Wasagu LGA. The attackers arrived around 4 a.m. and abducted 25 schoolgirls, prompting renewed fears of large-scale student kidnappings reminiscent of previous mass abductions in the region.

Local authorities in both states have not yet released additional details on rescue efforts, but security operatives were said to be conducting search operations in affected areas.