Originally published at National Catholic Register
In Kaduna, the report indicates that a total of 24 priests were kidnapped and that seven of them were killed.
Nearly 150 Catholic priests have been kidnapped in Nigeria over the past 10 years, a new report has indicated, unearthing the growing persecution of Christians in the West African country.
The report published March 12 by the information service Agenzia Fides shows that of the 145 Catholic priests kidnapped in Nigeria between 2015 and 2025, 11 have been killed and the whereabouts of four others remain unknown.
In the report, the highest numbers of abductions were in the provinces of Owerri and Onitsha in the southern part of the country and Kaduna in the northwest.
With 47 cases of kidnapping, Owerri was the most affected in Nigeria in the mentioned period, which, according to Agenzia Fides, indicates “a high-risk region for clergy.”
“Despite the high number, all but two priests were released safely, suggesting effective rescue efforts or ransom payments,” Agenzia Fides reported.
Onitsha province comes second with 30 cases of priest kidnappings. One of the kidnapped priests was killed, according to the report. This, Agenzia Fides said, “suggests a pattern of abductions primarily for ransom rather than targeted
