‎Kaduna Community Pursues Bandits in Search for Abducted Priest Fr Nathaniel, 10 Others

By Tgnews Reporter

Residents of Karku community in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, supported by soldiers, have stormed bushes and mountainous areas in hot pursuit of gunmen who abducted Catholic Priest Reverend Father Nathaniel Asuwaye and ten other individuals.

‎The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, February 7, 2026, around 3:20 a.m., when suspected bandits or terrorists invaded the residence of Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye, the Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, Karku.

The attackers forcibly took the priest and ten others, leaving a trail of violence that claimed the lives of three community members: Mr. Jacob Dan’azumi, Mr. Maitala Kaura, and Alhaji Kusari.

‎The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan swiftly confirmed the abduction in an official statement, expressing profound sadness over the loss of lives and the kidnapping of their priest.

“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 stated through its Chancellor, Very Reverend Father Jacob Shanet, PhD.

‎In response to the brazen attack, the local community mobilized quickly, joining forces with military personnel to comb through surrounding bushes and rugged mountainous terrain in search of the kidnappers and their captives.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of determined locals and soldiers hunting down the assailants, driven by a desperate need to secure the safe return of the abducted victims.

‎The abduction has sparked widespread concern and prayers across Nigeria, particularly within Catholic communities and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), amid the persistent insecurity plaguing parts of Kaduna State and northern Nigeria.

‎”We pray for the safe release of Rev Fr Nathaniel Asuwaye, Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Parish, Karku, Kauru L.G.A, Kaduna State,” community members and faithful have echoed in calls for divine intervention and urgent security action.

‎As the search operation continues, authorities and residents remain on high alert, with hopes pinned on the swift and safe rescue of Fr. Asuwaye and the ten others.

The incident underscores the ongoing threat of banditry and kidnapping in the region, prompting renewed demands for stronger security measures to protect vulnerable communities and religious leaders.