Kaduna violent attack multiple dead priest abducted
Gunmen launched a violent and deadly raid in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria, leaving multiple people dead and a Catholic priest abducted along with several villagers, in the latest sign of escalating insecurity that has gripped rural communities in the region.
The attack occurred in the Karku community of Kauru Local Government Area in the early hours of Saturday, February 7, 2026, when armed bandits stormed the village at around 3:20 a.m., firing sporadically and spreading fear among residents. Church officials and local sources said the assailants **killed at least three villagers and abducted Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye, the parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, along with ten other people, as they raided the priest’s residence and neighbouring homes.
The Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Very Rev. Fr. Jacob Shanet, announced the abductions with “profound sadness,” urging prayers for the safe return of the priest and the other captives. Church leaders described the assault as a coordinated invasion by heavily armed attackers, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
Residents expressed deep fear and frustration, noting that the violence is part of a broader pattern of insecurity in Kaduna and neighbouring states, where armed groups have carried out repeated kidnappings and attacks on civilians, including earlier incidents in which dozens of worshippers were seized during church services.
The police and local authorities are investigating the incident, but details on rescue efforts or the identities of all abducted victims remain limited. The attack has drawn condemnation from community and religious leaders, who warn that such assaults continue to undermine peace and safety in rural northern and central Nigeria.
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