By Ayomide Otitoju
Gunmen suspected to be bandits have kidnapped a Catholic priest and several other individuals, and killed three security operatives during a rescue operation in Ningi village, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Kafanchan confirmed the abduction of Reverend Father Nathaniel Asuwaye, the parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Karku community. The incident was said to have occurred in the early hours of Saturday, at about 3:20 a.m., when armed men reportedly stormed the priest’s residence.
Although the Kaduna State Police Command is yet to issue an official statement, local sources said the assailants abducted the priest alongside other residents during the raid.
Church authorities disclosed that security operatives deployed to rescue the victims were later ambushed by the bandits, resulting in the death of three personnel.
In a statement, the Diocesan Chancellor, Very Reverend Father Jacob Shanet, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as a tragic loss for the church and the affected communities. He also confirmed the deaths of the three security operatives during the rescue attempt.
Meanwhile, security agencies have launched a manhunt for the attackers. Sources within the Kaduna State Police Command said joint security teams are combing the Kauru axis in an effort to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
