A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye, and 10 others have been abducted by suspected bandits following a violent attack on Karku community in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Naijaonpoint understands that the incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Saturday.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Jacob Shanet, said the attackers were described by residents as terrorists who carried out a coordinated operation.
According to the statement, three persons were killed during the attack. They were identified as Mr. Jacob Dan’azumi, Mr. Maitala Kaura, and Alhaji Kusari.
The statement noted that the assault occurred at about 3:20 a.m. (WAT) at the priest’s residence.
“Rev. Fr. Asuwaye is the parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Karku, under the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan,” the statement added.
The diocese expressed deep sorrow over the incident and called on priests, Christian faithful, and people of goodwill to pray for the safe and speedy release of the abducted victims.
It also prayed for the repose of the souls of those killed in the attack.
The statement further entrusted the kidnapped victims to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and urged continued solidarity amid what it described as a worsening security situation in parts of Kaduna State.