Kidnapping of Catholic Priest in Southern Kaduna

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According to SaharaReporters, Bandits have taken Bitiyock Dominic Yahaya, the younger brother of the Paramount Chief of Kataf, Sir Dominic Gambo Yahaya, during a late-night raid on Magamiya village in Southern Kaduna. According to SaharaReporters, this event took place around 11pm on Wednesday in the Zangon Kataf Local Government Area. The attackers, who fired shots randomly, took the victim from his home and escaped to an unknown location. A local source confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters, and the kidnapping was further supported by an internal church message requesting prayers for Bitiyock's safety and quick return. The kidnapped person is recognized as a church leader in the Kafanchan Catholic Diocese. SaharaReporters previously reported that bandits struck the Southern Kaduna area of Kaduna State, leading to the kidnapping of a Catholic priest and several community members, along with one fatality. The Kaduna Catholic Archdiocese stated that the attackers targeted Kushe Gugdu village in the Kagarko Local Government Area, invading St. Stephen Parish and abducting the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Bobbo Paschal. In a notice to its priests, signed by the Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Christian Okewu Emmanuel, the Archdiocese confirmed the event: “I write to inform you of the attack on Kushe Gugdu and the abduction of one of our priests, Rev. Fr. Bobo Pascal, Parish Priest of St Stephen Parish... from his home during the early hours of today, Monday, 17th of November, 2025.” Concerning the casualties and other kidnappings, the Chancellor added, “During the attack, many others were taken, and the brother of Rev. Fr. Anthony Yero was killed. "We urge all people of goodwill to join us in praying for their safety and swift release from their captors, and for the peaceful rest of the deceased. Amen.”

SaharaReporters previously reported that the global human rights organization, Amnesty International, urged the Nigerian government to take swift and effective measures to ensure the safe rescue of 12 individuals, including a pastor from the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), who were kidnapped by terrorists in a recent assault on Gidan Waya, located in the Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

photo credit: SaharaReporters

The international human rights advocacy group made this request in a statement released on Monday, November 17, via its X (formerly Twitter) account, and also confirmed that four individuals lost their lives during the attack. Amnesty International denounced the assault, which took place on Tuesday, November 11, characterizing it as part of a persistent trend of insecurity and governmental inaction in northern Nigeria.