Boko Haram

The Latest

Kidnapped Nigerian girls deserve more than just a hashtag, activist says

Apr 15, 2015

By Kevin J. Jones

The hundreds of Nigerian schoolgirls abducted a year ago by the group Boko Haram deserve a major, sustained rescue effort,... Read more

A parish destroyed by Boko Haram during its Oct. 29, 2014 seizure of Mubi, in Nigeria's Adamawa state.

With #BringBackOurGirls no longer trending, Nigerians aghast at 'inaction' from donors

Mar 30, 2015

By Matt Hadro

Almost a year after the terror group Boko Haram kidnapped hundreds of Nigerian school girls, humanitarian workers are fighting what... Read more

Nigerians forced from their homes by Boko Haram, who are being cared for by the Diocese of Maiduguri, September 2014.

With rise in extremist threat, Pope assures Nigerian bishops of his closeness

Mar 17, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis has sent a letter to the bishops of Nigeria telling them not to be discouraged by problems caused... Read more

Refugees in the Diocese of Maiduguri, Nigeria, September 2014.

In run-up to presidential vote, Nigerian bishop slams government corruption

Feb 13, 2015

Bitterly condemning “the ugly tide of corruption” in Nigeria’s government, the Bishop of Sokoto has highlighted the challenges awaiting the... Read more

Displaced persons fill a church in Maidiguri, Nigeria, Dec. 2014.

Should the West take on Nigeria's terrorists? Bishops say yes

Jan 26, 2015

Against the background of continuing attacks by radical Islamist group Boko Haram, bishops in Nigeria are appealing for military aid... Read more

A church in Mubi, Adamawa state, destroyed by Boko Haram in November, 2014.

Nigerian bishop hopes for solidarity, as thousands already killed in the new year

Jan 12, 2015

Boko Haram having killed as many as 2,000 in an attack on the town of Baga last week, Archbishop Ignatius... Read more

Zeinab's parents were killed when insurgents opened fire on her hometown of Maiduguri, in Nigeria's Borno state (May 2014).

Boko Haram suspected in reported kidnapping of 200

Dec 19, 2014

Nigerian gunmen suspected to be with the militant Islamist group Boko Haram reportedly killed 35 people and kidnapped about 200... Read more

St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Enugu, Nigeria was vandalized Nov 4, 2013.

Protect us – One archbishop's plea as Nigeria elections loom

Dec 4, 2014

By Elise Harris

As Nigeria's general elections draw near, the archbishop of the central city of Jos warned candidates not to put political... Read more

Displaced persons in Maiduguri, who are being cared for by the local Church, in Sept. 2014.

'Keep our faith alive,' Nigerian bishop urges in wake of bombings

Nov 11, 2014

The violent onslaught of the radical Islamist group Boko Haram has forced the Diocese of Maiduguri, which has suffered most... Read more

Displaced persons in Maiduguri, who are being cared for by the local Church, in Sept. 2014.

Life is cheaper than salt: a Nigerian bishop facing Boko Haram

Oct 29, 2014

Bishop Oliver Doeme, who heads the Nigerian diocese which has suffered the most from Boko Haram, has lamented his government's... Read more

A vandalized St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Enugu, Nigeria.

As violence ravages homeland, Nigerian bishop hopes in synod

Oct 8, 2014

By Kevin J. Jones, Alan Holdren

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos, Nigeria, has high hopes for the outcome of the current bishops’ synod, noting the contributions... Read more

Bishop Bruno Ateba of the Diocese of Maroua-Mokolo in Cameroon.

Armed guards escort Cameroon missionaries amid terror attacks

Oct 7, 2014

Boko Haram terrorist activity spreading into Cameroon from northeastern Nigeria has caused local Catholic missionaries to increase security, but one... Read more

Map of Nigeria.

Boko Haram still a serious threat to Nigeria, advocates warn

Sep 25, 2014

The militant Islamist group Boko Haram continues to pose a grave threat to Nigerian society five months after the abduction... Read more

Abubakar Shekau in a low quality video admitted to kidnapping nearly 300 girls in Nigeria and threatened to sell them (Screengrab).

Nigerian bishop says Boko Haram murdered 2,500 in his diocese

Sep 18, 2014

Bishop Oliver Dashe Doeme of Maiduguri has denounced the militant Islamist group Boko Haram for the murders of more than... Read more

Map of Nigeria.

Report: Boko Haram threatens regional capital in Nigeria

Sep 13, 2014

The militant Islamic group Boko Haram has surrounded Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, according to local leaders who charge... Read more

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama.

Despite violence, rumors of Nigeria split called a false alarm

Sep 8, 2014

By Elise Harris

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama spoke out in the wake of more violent attacks in Nigeria, noting that although fears are high,... Read more

Islamist extremists capture two more cities in Nigeria

Sep 3, 2014

Amid increasing attacks at the hands of the Islamic State in the Middle East, the similarly radical Islamist group Boko... Read more

Map of Nigeria.

Scholars: Boko Haram caliphate claim may be inspired by ISIS

Aug 28, 2014

The Islamist extremist group Boko Haram’s claim to have established a caliphate – or a state ruled under Islamic law... Read more

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos.

Do not become a prisoner of fear, Nigerian bishop urges

Aug 6, 2014

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos, a city in northern Nigeria, has stressed the importance of remaining present to his people... Read more

Campaign seeks to help educate escaped Nigerian schoolgirls

Aug 5, 2014

As more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls remain missing after being kidnapped this spring, one human rights group has started a... Read more