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Catholic priest abducted alongside ten residents during early-morning raid in Karku, Kaduna.
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Three villagers killed as gunmen storm Holy Trinity Catholic Church residence.
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Southern Kaduna insecurity deepens amid fresh terrorist-style attack.
Gunmen suspected to be terrorists have abducted a Catholic priest, Reverend Father Nathaniel Asuwaye, along with ten other residents during a pre-dawn attack on Karku community in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The abduction occurred in the early hours of Friday when the assailants invaded the residence of the priest at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Karku, residents said.
The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its Chancellor, Very Reverend Father Jacob Shanet, PhD, stating that Reverend Father Asuwaye, the parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, was taken away by the attackers during the operation.
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According to the Diocese, the attack took place at about 3:20 a.m. and resulted in the killing of three residents identified as Mr. Jacob Dan’azumi, Mr. Maitala Kaura and Alhaji Kusari.
The statement added that several other persons were abducted during what it described as a coordinated terrorist assault on the community.
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“With profound sadness, we announce the kidnapping of our priest, Reverend Father Nathaniel Asuwaye, alongside ten other people at Karku, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State,” the Diocese said.
The attack reportedly threw the community into mourning and fear, as residents grappled with the loss of lives and the abduction of their loved ones.
The Diocese called on priests, Christian faithful and people of goodwill to pray for the safe release of the abducted victims and for the repose of the souls of those killed during the attack.
It also entrusted the abducted priest and others to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, praying for their speedy and unharmed return from captivity.
The incident adds to a growing wave of abductions and violent attacks targeting rural communities and religious leaders in parts of Southern Kaduna, despite repeated assurances by security agencies of intensified efforts to restore peace in the region.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the attack.
