Catholic Church in Nigeria
The Latest
Church prays for release of kidnapped priest and seminarian in Nigeria
Father Paul Sanogo and seminarian Melkiori Dominick Mahinini were kidnapped early in the morning of Aug. 3 in Niger state. Read more
Nigerian bishops discourage military intervention in Niger after coup
The Economic Community of West African States threatened military intervention if Niger’s military refused to restore democracy within one week. Read more
House chairman: State Department is giving religious freedom violators ‘a pass’
“I am concerned that the U.S. State Department is not using all the tools provided to hold guilty parties accountable,”... Read more
Suspended priest takes charge of Nigeria’s strife-torn Benue State
Hyacinth Iormen Alia ignored the admonitions of his bishop by successfully running for governor of Benue State. Read more
Nigerian priest freed after torture, hospitalized with ‘deep wounds on his head’
Father Marcellus Nwaohuocha, OMI, who was kidnapped on June 17 from Nigeria’s Jos Archdiocese, has been freed. Read more
Missionary priest abducted in Nigeria’s Jos Archdiocese; security guard killed
Father Marcellus Nwaohuocha, a member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, was kidnapped June 17. Read more
Nigerian bishop describes persecution and killings of Catholics: ‘It has become a daily occurrence’
“If we keep quiet a generation will be wiped out, the population will be wiped out,” Makurdi Bishop Wilfred Anagbe... Read more
Nigerian priest abducted on Corpus Christi Sunday regains freedom
Father Jeremiah Yakubu, who was kidnapped from his parish rectory in Karku, Nigeria, Sunday evening, has been released. Read more
Nigeria’s Diocese of Kafanchan appeals for ‘intense prayers’ for abducted priest
The diocese said Father Jeremiah Yakubu from Holy Trinity Parish in Karku was taken from the rectory at about 11... Read more
Nigerian priest returning from pastoral duties shot dead; archdiocese in ‘great shock’
In a statement shared June 8 with ACI Africa, CNA’s African news partner, Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze expressed shock at... Read more
Catholic priest in Nigeria freed on Pentecost Sunday after three days in captivity
Father Matthias Opara, a Nigerian Catholic priest who was abducted on May 26 while returning from a funeral, has been... Read more
CNA freelancer recounts ‘horrifying experience’ of witnessing Nigeria firefight
The exchange of gunfire, which lasted about an hour, took place on May 16 in Mangu City in Central Nigeria’s... Read more
Advocates for persecuted Christians in Nigeria question U.S. report that portrays Fulani as victims
Advocates for persecuted Christians in Nigeria are criticizing a new report prepared by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Read more
5-year-old beheaded, 33 killed in Nigeria; Christian foundation calls for action
A 5-year-old boy was reportedly beheaded when Islamists attacked a village in southern Kaduna State, leaving dozens of people dead. Read more
Nigerian Catholic church attacked on Pentecost Sunday last year resumes public worship
A parish church in Nigeria that was attacked on Pentecost Sunday last year reopened for Easter Sunday Mass on April... Read more
Holy Week attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria leave nearly 100 dead
The deadly raids were another sign of worsening violence in Nigeria’s Benue state. Read more
Dozens still captive in Nigeria after deadly raid on Catholic town
Armed bandits killed one person and kidnapped more than 100 others in a March 14 raid on a predominantly Catholic... Read more
Waves of attacks displace Catholic natives in central Nigeria
Recent terrorist raids in Benue, a predominantly Catholic state in north-central Nigeria, are getting scant mention in Nigeria news. Read more
Pope Francis meets with two Nigerian girls who were kidnapped by Boko Haram
The women, who both saw members of their families murdered by Boko Haram, met with the pope at the end... Read more
‘My parishioners shot dead in cold blood’: Priests, lay faithful describe attacks in Nigeria
Aid to the Church in Need has released firsthand testimonies of Catholic faithful who have survived torture, kidnappings, and massacres. Read more
