Bandits attacked the Southern Kaduna region of Kaduna State in the early hours of Monday, resulting in the confirmed abduction of a Catholic priest and several community members, and the death of one person.
The Kaduna Catholic Archdiocese stated that the assailants targeted Kushe Gugdu village in the Kagarko Local Government Area, storming St. Stephen Parish and abducting the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Bobbo Paschal.
In a notice to its priests, signed by the Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Christian Okewu Emmanuel, the Archdiocese confirmed the incident: “I write to inform you of the attack on Kushe Gugdu and the abduction of one of our priests, Rev. Fr. Bobo Pascal, Parish Priest of St Stephen Parish… from his residence during the early hours of today, Monday, 17th of November, 2025.”
Regarding the casualty and other abductions, the Chancellor added, “During the attack, many others were abducted, and the brother of Rev. Fr. Anthony Yero was killed.
“We call on all men and women of goodwill to join us in praying for their safety and quick release from the hands of their abductors, and for the peaceful repose of the dead. Amen.”
SaharaReporters earlier reported that global human rights body, the Amnesty International, asked the Nigerian authorities to take immediate and decisive action to secure the safe rescue of 12 people, including a pastor of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), abducted by terrorists during a recent attack on Gidan Waya, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The global human rights advocacy organisation, which made the demand in a statement issued on Monday, November 17, on its X (formerly Twitter) account, also confirmed that four people were killed during the attack.
Amnesty International condemned the attack, which occurred on Tuesday, November 11, describing it as the continuation of a longstanding pattern of insecurity and government inaction in northern Nigeria.
Amnesty International had said, “The Nigerian authorities must ensure safe and secure rescue of the 12 persons abducted by gunmen at Gidan Waya, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, in an attack in which 4 people were killed. Among those abducted are minors of 13, 14, and 15 years old.”
The organisation had noted that the attack, which occurred on the night of 11 November 2025, underscored the persistent inability of the Nigerian government to safeguard communities from violent criminal groups.
“The attack which took place on the night of 11 November 2025 is yet another indication of the stunning failure of the Nigerian authorities to protect lives and ensure accountability for all human rights crimes,” the statement added.
Amnesty International further highlighted the dire situation faced by rural populations in the region.
“Since 2016, rural communities in some parts of northern Nigeria have been living at the mercy of gunmen. The violence has forced many farmers and their families to flee their homes,” the organisation said.
The rights organisation noted that it has continued to track and report on the surge in violent attacks, kidnappings, and mass displacement across the north-west and north-central zones.
“Amnesty International has been documenting the alarming escalation in attacks and abductions in several states in north-west and north-central Nigeria,” it stated.
According to Amnesty International, some of the hardest-hit communities are located in Plateau, Zamfara, southern Kaduna, Benue, and Katsina, areas where residents have endured years of chronic insecurity with little relief.
“The worst affected are villages in the Plateau, Zamfara, south of Kaduna State, Benue, and Katsina,” the organisation said.
As security concerns mount, residents and local leaders have repeatedly appealed to the federal and state governments for sustained protection and effective law enforcement.
Amnesty International insisted that only a coordinated, rights-respecting security response and accountability for perpetrators can halt the cycle of violence ravaging Nigeria’s rural regions.
