Gunmen attack Holy Trinity Parish in Nigeria, killing three and abducting 11, including a priest, amid worsening nationwide violence.
Newsroom (10/02/2026 Gaudium Press ) Gunmen stormed the Holy Trinity Parish in Nigeria’s Kafanchan diocese early Saturday, killing three people and abducting eleven others, including the parish priest, Father Nathaniel Asuwaye. The attack, which occurred around 3:20 a.m. West African Time, unfolded at the priest’s residence in Karku, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
In an official statement, Father Jacob Shanet, the chancellor of the diocese, confirmed the tragedy with what he called “profound sadness.” He described the assault as “an act of invasion by a group of terrorists” and appealed for prayers for the safe return of Father Asuwaye and the other abducted victims. “We entrust them to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary,” the statement read, urging Christians and “men and women of goodwill” to pray for those lost and missing.
Grief and Despair Among Local Christians
Members of the parish and nearby communities expressed shock and grief following the attack. Local parishioner Benedict Chukwu voiced frustration with Nigeria’s ongoing security failures, saying, “Our security system has failed us… only God can save us.” Fellow worshipper Susan Ajoke called on divine protection, praying that “God’s powerful hand keep them safe.”
Pope Leo XIV Condemns Violence
The escalating violence has drawn international attention. On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV condemned the attack, urging Nigerian authorities “to work with determination to ensure the safety and protection of the life of every citizen.” His remarks came as the latest act in a string of attacks targeting Christian communities across the country.
Wave of Killings Across Nigeria
The Kafanchan attack followed a devastating wave of terrorist assaults in early February that left over two hundred people dead in Kwara, Katsina, and Benue states. In Kwara alone, at least 162 victims, including women and children, were killed during a 22-hour rampage. Many were found with their hands bound and throats slit.
Authorities said an unknown number of women and children were also abducted. These killings highlight the intensity of insecurity plaguing Nigeria’s Middle Belt and northern regions, where gangs, Islamist insurgents, and militia groups frequently launch coordinated attacks on rural communities.
Government and U.S. Military Cooperation
Despite growing military cooperation with the United States, including a “small team” deployed to support counter-terror efforts, Nigeria’s security challenges persist. In October, after mounting reports of Christian persecution, U.S. President Donald Trump pledged direct military support. In response, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu sent a delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to meet U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Following that meeting, the U.S. began intelligence-gathering missions over parts of northern Nigeria and launched missile strikes on terrorist enclaves in Sokoto State during Christmas. Yet recent atrocities suggest these measures have had limited impact.
“Nothing Has Changed”
Emeka Umeagbalasi, founder of the rights organization Intersociety, said the situation is deteriorating despite international involvement. “It’s unfortunate that another Reverend Father has been abducted,” he said, noting a recent case in Taraba State where a priest was burned alive. His organization estimates that since 2009, between 1,000 and 1,500 Christian leaders have been killed or kidnapped.
Intersociety’s data shows that more than 185,000 people have died amid extremist violence over the last 17 years, including 125,000 Christians and 60,000 moderate Muslims. “The Nigerian security apparatus has been so Islamized that it tends to protect the terrorists,” Umeagbalasi alleged.
Christian Association Calls for Urgent Action
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) condemned the ongoing bloodshed in a February 7 statement, warning that “Nigeria cannot afford to normalize bloodshed.” Signed by Father Michael Banjo of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, the statement lamented “years of repeated complaints and unfulfilled promises” that have left citizens “weary of empty condolences that do not guarantee their safety.”
“The renewed cycle of mass violence has turned our country into a field of grief,” CAN declared, calling on the government to deliver real security reforms and end the killings once and for all.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Crux Now
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