Abuja:

A recent report from Aid to Church in Need(ACN) revealed that priest kidnapping cases in Nigeria continue to persist. The report released by the pontifical foundation on November 14 documented cases of kidnappings since the beginning of this year. According to the ACN report, “As of November 13, the total number of priests, religious sisters and seminarians kidnapped in 2023 is 23,” of these, 22 were liberated while one was murdered thereby making it evident that kidnapping is the biggest threat faced by clergy and religious individuals in the country.

The report stated that January 2023 saw the first case of abduction from Ekiti Diocese and also an attack against a rectory in Minna, where a priest was burnt alive in the fire that blazed the rectory. Although there was a pause for three months, the cases became a recurring phenomenon since April. The most recent case of abduction was reported in November where a priest was detained for less than 24 hours.

ACN has documented the “cases of Catholic clergy and religious who have been murdered, kidnapped or illegally imprisoned around the world,” since last year. It was found in 118 separate cases of religious persecution, 16 priests and religious sisters were murdered. According to Open Doors, there has been a surge in abduction cases, including that of church leaders over recent years, for ransom. Nigeria is ranked 6th in the 2023 World Watch List. It is prepared by Open Doors based on the severity of persecutions Christians face around the world.