Catholic catechist Victor Paul has died in captivity after abduction in Kaduna, as church confirms torture, starvation and killings.
Newsroom (03/07/2026 Gaudium Press ) Victor Paul, a Catholic catechist abducted during a mass kidnapping in Kaduna State’s Kagarko Local Government Area, has died in captivity after enduring severe torture, illness and starvation, according to the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna.
The church confirmed his death in a statement released on Thursday, revealing that five other captives also lost their lives while being held by terrorists following the February 9, 2026 attacks on the communities of Kutaho and Kugir.
Father Christian Emmanuel of the Catholic Church in Kaduna said Paul succumbed to harsh conditions imposed by his captors after months in captivity.
According to the Archdiocese, the catechist was abducted alongside his heavily pregnant wife, his son Shehima Victor and several other residents when armed attackers raided the two communities late on February 9. The church had initially issued a statement about the attacks on February 12.
Torture, Illness and Starvation
In its latest update, the Archdiocese described the circumstances surrounding Paul’s death as particularly tragic.
“Catechist Victor Paul succumbed to severe torture, preventable illness, and starvation,” the statement said.
The church also confirmed the deaths of Joseph Yaro, Monday Tanko, Kunama Dogo, Friday Agama and Peace Williams, a woman who was among those kidnapped during the attacks.
Unlike Paul, whose death was attributed to torture and deteriorating health conditions, the church stated that the other victims were “brutally murdered” by their captors.
Gradual Release of Captives
The Archdiocese detailed a staggered release of hostages over several months.
On April 5, 2026 (Easter Sunday), 11 women and children, including Paul’s wife, regained their freedom. A second group comprising nine men was released on May 1, 2026.
The final four surviving male captives were released on June 30, 2026. They were identified as Williams Ishaya, Iliya Dauda, Shedrack and Daniel Ganga.
Their return ultimately confirmed the fate of Paul and the other victims who never emerged alive from captivity.
“While we rejoice at their safe return, our hearts remain heavy with grief over the tragic loss of those who did not make it back alive,” the church said.
Ransom Payments and Fresh Demands
The release of some captives reportedly came after a significant ransom payment by the community.
According to information obtained by FIJ, Paul’s wife and the first group of freed hostages were released after residents raised N30 million and four motorcycles for the kidnappers.
Paul’s wife, who was heavily pregnant at the time of her abduction, reportedly came close to giving birth while still being held captive before eventually regaining her freedom.
Despite receiving the ransom, the abductors allegedly demanded an additional N15 million to secure the release of the remaining captives.
Father Emmanuel said he could not confirm whether the additional ransom was ultimately paid.
Community Targeted After Threats
The kidnapping stemmed from a coordinated attack on Kutaho and Kugir communities that resulted in the abduction of 33 people, including Paul and his son.
Prior to the attack, residents had reportedly received threats from the kidnappers. According to earlier reports, the abductors claimed the communities possessed substantial wealth due to their involvement in irrigation farming and ginger cultivation.
The attacks highlighted the growing insecurity affecting rural communities in Kaduna State, where kidnappings for ransom have become a persistent challenge.
Official Silence Raises Concerns
As news of the deaths emerged, questions continued to surround the response of state authorities and security agencies.
FIJ reported that neither the Kaduna State Government nor the Kaduna State Police Command had issued official statements on the deaths of the victims at the time of publication.
Attempts to obtain comments from Mansir Hassan, spokesperson for the Kaduna State Police Command, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages reportedly went unanswered.
The absence of official reactions has drawn attention from community members and church leaders, who continue to mourn the loss of those who died while awaiting freedom.
For the Catholic community in Kaduna, the death of Victor Paul marks the tragic conclusion of a months-long ordeal that began with a violent abduction and ended with the loss of a church worker whose family survived, but who never returned home.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from The Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ)
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