Armed attackers killed three people and kidnapped a Catholic priest along with 10 others during a pre-dawn assault on the priest’s home in Karku, Kauru district, Kaduna State, Nigeria, on February 7, 2026.
The assault targeted Father Nathaniel Asuwaye, the parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, around 3:20 a.m., when gunmen stormed his residence. The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan confirmed the incident, calling it a terrorist invasion. Eleven people, including the priest, were taken, while security forces exchanged fire with the attackers.
Father Jacob Shanet of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan issued a statement about the incident, noting that two soldiers and a police officer died during the clash with the gunmen.
Pope Leo XIV denounced the ongoing violence in Nigeria. The pontiff called on authorities “to work with determination to ensure the safety and protection of the life of every citizen.”
The situation in Kwara state has been particularly severe. At least 160 people were killed in attacks on the Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area, where victims were discovered bound and with their throats slit.
Amnesty International sharply criticized the Nigerian government’s handling of the escalating security crisis, stating that the situation was “increasingly getting out of hand” and accusing authorities of “gross incompetence” in safeguarding civilians from gunmen who continue to kill, abduct, and terrorize rural populations across northern Nigeria.
The ongoing violence has drawn global concern, including from President Donald Trump, who has accused Nigeria of failing to protect its Christian population. Following his criticism, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu sent a top-level delegation led by national security adviser Nuhu Ribadu to meet U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in November 2025 to discuss security cooperation. In response to rising instability, U.S. forces conducted airstrikes on terrorist positions in Nigeria on December 25, hitting sites in the Bauni forest of Sokoto state.
Human rights organizations continue to document the heavy toll on civilians. Emeka Umeagbalasi of Intersociety, which monitors violence in Nigeria, reported that since 2009, an estimated 185,000 people have been killed—125,000 Christians and 60,000 moderate Muslims. While these figures are widely cited by international Catholic groups, some independent observers argue that verifying casualty numbers in conflict zones remains extremely difficult.
Religious figures have increasingly become targets. Intersociety estimates that between 1,000 and 1,500 Christian leaders have been murdered or abducted since 2009.
The Christian Association of Nigeria has raised urgent concerns about the relentless violence. Father Michael Banjo, secretary general of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, signed a statement cautioning that the nation “cannot afford to normalize bloodshed.” The group emphasized that despite years of complaints and unkept promises, the attacks persist, leaving communities shattered and citizens exhausted by condolences that do not translate into actual protection.
Nigeria’s security crisis is fueled by numerous armed factions across the northern regions, including insurgents, kidnapping gangs seeking ransom, and militia groups launching raids on rural settlements. These groups generally strike at night, overpowering local security, abducting large numbers of people, and often killing others.
President Tinubu has faced major challenges in curbing the violence, despite increasing military deployments to affected areas. Critics argue that the government has failed to prevent attacks or swiftly recover kidnapped victims, raising doubts about the capability and effectiveness of Nigerian security forces.
The United States’ involvement in Nigeria’s security crisis marks a notable shift in bilateral relations. American forces carried out the December airstrike on terrorist hideouts, a move that signals ongoing cooperation between the two countries on counterterrorism efforts.
The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan has urged the faithful to pray for Father Asuwaye and the 10 others who were abducted, as well as for the souls of those killed. The diocese entrusted them to the Blessed Virgin Mary’s intercession for their safe and swift release.
The attack on Father Asuwaye is the latest in a growing pattern of assaults on Catholic clergy in Nigeria. Kidnapping priests has become increasingly common as armed groups seek high-profile captives who may draw substantial ransom payments.
As insecurity worsens, doubts persist about whether current strategies can adequately protect civilians or stabilize conflict-prone areas. Cooperation between Nigerian and American forces has not yet produced decisive results, leaving northern communities exposed to continued attacks by armed groups operating with little restraint across several states.
