Report: Over 140 priests kidnapped in Nigeria over the last decade, 9 murdered

12/03/2025

in Africa

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Report: Over 140 priests kidnapped in Nigeria over the last decade, 9 murdered

File photo: Catholic Priests walk in procession to St. Leo Catholic Church to hold a mass before proceeding on a solidarity rally against violent attacks across the country in Lagos, on May 22, 2018. - Catholic Churches in Nigeria held solidarity rally across the country to prortest against a church attack in Benue state that killed at least 18, including two Roman Catholic priests. (Photo by PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP) (Photo credit should read PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP via Getty Images)

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The Episcopal Conference of Nigeria has released a sobering report detailing the abduction of Catholic priests across the country from 2015 to 2025. The statistics reveal a troubling pattern of violence, with over 140 priests kidnapped and several tragically killed.

These incidents highlight the ongoing security challenges faced by the clergy, particularly in northern and central Nigeria. The report also underscores the resilience and faith of those who were released, many of whom returned to their ministries after their harrowing experiences.

STATISTICS OF KIDNAPPED CATHOLIC PRIESTS IN NIGERIA IN THE LAST TEN YEARS 2015 – 2025.

Zaria Diocese
Kidnapped and released
1. Rev. Fr. Felix Fidson Zakari

Wukari Diocese

Kidnapped and released
1. Fr Moses Angyian
2. Fr Thaddeus Tarhembe

Sokoto Diocese

Kidnapped and released
1. Fr Micah Yakubu Sulciman
2. Fr. Oliver Opara
3. Fr. Ojapah Stephen. MSP
Kidnapped and Killed
4. Fr. Alphonsus Bello (Fidei Donum Priest from Archdiocese of Kaduna) was killed by abductor.
5. Bro. Micheal Mnadi (Seminarian) Was killed by abductor

Kafanchan Diocese
Kidnapped and returned safe
1. Fr. Andrew Anana
2. Fr. Cleopas Donatus
3. Fr. Gabriel Uke
4. Fr. John Magnus
5. Fr. Joseph Shekari
6. Fr. Emmanuel Silas
7. Fr. Bulus Benson
Kidnapped and killed
8. Fr. John Mark Chetnum

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9. Fr. Okechukwu Sylvester
Warri Diocese Kidnapped and returned safe
1. Fr. Emmanuel Obadjere 2. Fr. Joseph Ojakorotu 3. Fr. Christopher Ogaga
4. Fr. Harrison Egwunu
5. Fr. Peter Dedekuma 6.F比 Raphael Ogigbah Kidnapped and later died
7. Fr. Louis Odudu

Awka Diocese
Kidnapped and released
1. Fr. Paul Onyebuchi
2. Fr. Gerald Ejimbonwu
3. Fr. Peter Ibeazor
4. Fr. Efobi Felix
5. Fr. Joseph Nweke
6. Fr. Cornelius Okoye
7. Fr. Paul Chimezie
Ekiti Diocese
Kidnapped and released
1. Fr Emmanuel Akingbade
Nsukka Diocese
1. Fr ChijokeAmoke
2. Fr Celestine Eze
3. Fr Lazarus Ekwueme
4. Fr Cyprian Ugwuanyi
5. Fr Victor Ishiwu
6. Fr Titus Ogbu
7. Fr Cyril Okpe
8. Fr Innocent Mba
9. Fr Malachy Asadu
10. Fr Sunday Onah
11. Fr Emmanuel Ugwu
12. Fr Emmanuel Nnadi – (escaped from abductors).
13. Bro. Eric Uroko – (Snr Seminarian)

Uromi Diocese

Kidnapped but released
1. Fr. Augustine Akogba
2. Fr. Precious martin Umanholen
3. Fr. Peter Udo (late)
4. Fr. Nicholas Oboh
5. Fr. Philemon Oboh

Arehdiocese of Benin City Kidnapped and released
1. Fr Stephen Dumbiri
2. Fr ldahosaAmadasun
3. Fr Edwin Omorogbe 4. Fr Joseph Ediae

Shendam Diocese

Kidnapped and returned Safe.
1. Fr. Cornelius Manzak Damulak.

Pankshin Diocese

Kidnapped and released
1. Fr. Anthony Agu
2. Fr. Kenneth Kanwa, Cmf
3. Fr. Jude Nwachukwu, Cmf

4. Fr. Elias Gogwang

Portharcourt Diocese Kidnapped and released

1. Msgr. Pius kii
2. Msgr. Emmanuel Maru
3. Fr. Donatus Ukulor
4. Fr. Bernardine Anacle
5. Fr. Fabian Anacle
6. Fr. Magnus Anyanugo
7. Fr. Paul Okeregwu
8. Fr. Loveday Bornwin
9. Fr. Ambrose Bani
10. Fr. Samuel Nwika
11. Fr. Uchenna Okere
12. Fr. Paul Nwankwoala
13. Fr. Michacl Mbari
14. Fr. Maurice Livinus

CalabarArchdiocese
Kidnapped and released
1. Fr. Cyril Essien.
Ondo Diocese
1. Fr Joseph AJAYI

Okigwe Diocese

Kidnapped and returned safe
2. Fr EvaristusEkweke (2x)
3. Fr. Emmanuel Esiagu
4. Fr. Canice Amajuoyi
5. Fr. Michacl Asomugha
6. Fr. Kingsley Eboh
7. Fr. John Okafor
8. Fr. Francis Eze
9. Fr. Emmanuel Osuji
10. Fr. Fidelis Ekemgba
11, Fr. Judekingsley Maduka
12. Fr. Kenneth Osuchukwu
13. Fr. Anthony Jiwuba
14. Fr Emmanuel Azubuike (2x)
15. Fr. Kingsley Eze
16. Fr. Charles Nwachukwu
17. Fr Jerome Okonkwo
18. Fr. Culbert Okeke
19. Fr. Vitus Echedo
20. Fr. Franklin Okoro
21. Fr. John Paul Ogueri
22. Fr. Samuel Okereke
23. Fr. Donatus Eze 24. Fr. Augustine Umeibe

Attacked but Escaped

25. Fr Michael Okafor
26. Fr. Anthony Okafor O. 27. Fr Christian Obioha
28. Fr. Christian Mbara
29. Fr. Marcel Obasi
30. Fr. Anthony Onyeihe
31. Fr. Chukwuma C. Chukwuma
32. Fr Simon Osuchukwu
33. Fr Emmanuel Chinaka
34. Fr. Ernest Odoh
35. Fr. Bonaventure Ukeh
36. Fr. Paschal Ukacgbu
37. Fr Princewill Iwuanyanwu
38. Fr. FinbarChukwu
39. Fr. Anthony Eziefule
40. Fr. Ambrose Onuoha
41. Fr. Ambrose Onuoha
42. Fr. Paulinus Okwuolise
43. Fr. Christopher Okoli
44. Fr. Cyprian Ukanwa
45. Fr. Chukwuma C. Chukwuma
46. Fr. JohnPaul J. Ogueri
47. Fr. Jude Mbano

Idah Diocese

Kidnapped and released safe
1. Rev. Innocent Enemuo
2. Rev. Fr. Benjamin Adama
3. Very Rev. Fr. Jeremiah Musa
4. Rev. Fr. Patrick Omonu

Yola Diocese
Kidnapped and released safe
1, Fr. oliver Buba
2. Fr. Matthew David Dutseumi

Lafia Diocese
Kidnapped and returned safe
1. Fr. Augustine Ashigabu

Archdiocese of Kaduna

Kidnapped and safely released
1. Fr. Paul Jibrin
2. Fr. Francis BakOAwesu
3. Fr. Godwin Ali
4. Fr. Anthony Dawah
5. Fr. Abraham Kunat
Kidnapped and killed
6. Fr. Joseph AketehBako
7. Fr. Alphonsus Y. Bello
8. Fr. John BakoShekwolo

9. Fr. Vitus Borogo

Minna Diocese Kidnapped and released

1. Very Rev Fr Leo Raphael
Kidnapped and Killed
2. Very Rev Fr John Yaji Gbakaan

3. Very Rev Fr. Isaac Achi

Issele-Uku Diocese
Priest kidnapped and returned
1. Fr UcheNwaonwochei
2. Fr Franklin Odiaka
3. Fr Andrew Anah (twice)
4. Fr Jude Onycbadi (Three times)
5. Fr Samuel Agwameseh

Otupko Diocese
Kidnapped but Released
1. Very Rev Fr Joseph AmehOnuh
2. Rev Fr David Echoda

3. Rev Fr Anthony Adikwu
4. Rev Fr Mark Ojotu
5. Rev Fr Amodu Cssp
Kidnapped and Died
6. Very Rev Fr John Alex Adeyi

Tags: Kidnapping in Nigeria

[Article] Lent calls for a prayerful intimacy with God

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Daily Readings

Monday of the Second week of Lent

Book of Daniel 9,4b-10.

"Lord, great and awesome God, you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you and observe your commandments!
We have sinned, been wicked and done evil; we... have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws.
We have not obeyed your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers, and all the people of the land.
Justice, O Lord, is on your side; we are shamefaced even to this day: the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem, and all Israel, near and far, in all the countries to which you have scattered them because of their treachery toward you.
O LORD, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers, for having sinned against you.
But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness! Yet we rebelled against you
and paid no heed to your command, O LORD, our God, to live by the law you gave us through your servants the prophets.

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