One Dead, Catholic Priest, Nine Others Kidnapped

A Catholic priest, Daniel Alfa, and nine others were abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents last Monday along the Gwoza-Limankara Road in Borno State. The victims were traveling in two groups when the ambush occurred. One person was reportedly killed while trying to escape.

Mr. Alfa, who serves as a project coordinator for a Christian non-governmental organisation, was returning from Mubi in Adamawa State with two NGO staff members when their vehicle was intercepted by the insurgents. One of the staff was killed on the spot, while the priest and the other staff member were taken away.

Seven additional individuals were abducted on the same route. They were reportedly on their way to Gwoza after attending a wedding ceremony in the Madagali area. Some other passengers from the attacked vehicles managed to flee during the ambush.

A source close to the priest’s family in Maiduguri’s Pompomari Housing Estate confirmed the incident. According to the family, the insurgents allowed the priest to briefly speak with them to confirm his abduction. However, there has been no further communication, and no ransom demand has been made so far.

A senior official of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Borno State has also confirmed the abduction and the killing of the NGO staff member. Authorities have yet to release an official statement on the incident.