Joaquim Magalhães de Castro
This November has been particularly harsh for Catholic and Muslim communities in Nigeria. In the early morning hours of November 17th, “shortly before morning prayers,” an unknown number of girls were kidnapped by armed men who attacked a girls’ school in the northwest of that African country. The gang members attacked the Maga Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in the Danko/Wasagu district, Kebbi state. After killing the school’s vice-principal, Malam Hassan Yakubu Makuku – who tried in vain to protect the students – and wounding a security guard, the attackers fled to the neighboring state of Zamfara, taking an undetermined number of girls with them. The area where the kidnapping occurred is part of the Emirate of Zuru and is predominantly Muslim.
In Kebbi State, there is a long history of student kidnappings by gangs that invade educational institutions. On June 17, 2021, for example, armed men kidnapped approximately 80 people, including staff and students from Yauri State College. Some of the hostages would eventually be released by the Nigerian army a few days, while many others, the majority, were released after the payment of their respective ransoms.
After seven months, the bandits had only released 57 hostages, and the rest left this captivity “of more than 707 days” only between April and May 2023.
Also, on November 17 of this month, another Catholic priest was the victim of a violent kidnapping. Father Bobbo Paschal, parish priest of St. Stephen’s Parish Church in Kaduna State (north-central region of Nigeria), was captured by armed men who attacked the rectory in the early hours of that morning. According to the Archdiocese of Kaduna, the bandits also took an unknown number of other hostages during the attack and killed Gideon Markus, brother of another clergyman from the parish: Father Anthony Yero.
“We invite all men and women of goodwill to join us in ensuring the safe release of all those kidnapped as quickly as possible,” says a statement signed by the chancellor of the Archdiocese of Kaduna, Father Christian Okewu Emmanuel.
Despite the rumors that circulated (and still circulate) on various media platforms and social networks, Father Bobbo Paschal was not murdered. In this regard, Father Christian Okewu Emmanuel, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Kaduna, states: “We reject these reports as they are completely false and unfounded. In fact, Father Paschal is still alive and the authorities are making every effort to ensure his safe release.”
The archdiocese asks the public, bloggers, and social media users not to spread unconfirmed information, as this could “cause unnecessary panic, distress to the priest’s family, and hinder efforts to ensure his safety.”
The archdiocese thanks the faithful for their prayers and support and asks that prayers continue “for the release of Father Paschal and the other individuals who are still in the hands of their captors.”
In the early morning hours of November 21, an armed group on 60 motorcycles and cars stormed the St. Mary Catholic Primary and Secondary School in the community of Papiri, Niger State, in the north-central region of Nigeria.
A statement from the Diocese of Kontagora, signed by the diocesan secretary Jatau Luka Joseph, states that a member of the security team was seriously injured in the attack, which reportedly occurred between one and three in the morning.
“The Diocese of Kontagora strongly condemns the attack and expresses deep concern for the safety of the kidnapped children and their families,” says the statement sent to the Fides news agency. “Security authorities were immediately informed and have initiated coordinated efforts to ensure the safe return of the hostages.”
Monsignor Bulus Dauwa Yohanna believes that the kidnappers are almost certainly criminals seeking illicit gain by demanding ransom for the release of the young people they captured. However, a statement sent to the Fides agency by the Diocese of Kontagora reveals that 50 of the kidnapped children managed to escape and are already with their families. According to the diocese, “of the 315 students kidnapped, 265 remain in captivity.”
The school serves a total of 430 elementary school students (377 boarders and 53 day students). The high school program comprises 199 students, including 85 boarders and 14-day students. “These details are important”, the statement emphasizes, “to help the public understand”.
“We remain fully committed to the safe rescue of those still in captivity. We continue to collaborate with law enforcement agencies and relevant stakeholders and ask the public to remain calm, prayerful and supportive as these efforts progress”, the statement concludes.
The Pope also condemned the wave of kidnappings and attacks against churches and schools that have affected that African region in recent days.
“I received with immense sadness the news of the kidnappings of priests, faithful and students in Nigeria and Cameroon. I feel deep sorrow, especially for the many boys and girls kidnapped and their anguished families”, said Leo XIV, after reciting the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square.
Follow
