By Deborah Nnamdi
Suspected bandits have killed three persons and abducted a Catholic priest, alongside at least 10 other residents, during a deadly early-morning attack on the Karku community in the Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Among those abducted is Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye, the Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Karku, under the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan.
The incident was confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Diocesan Chancellor of the Kafanchan Diocese, Rev. Fr. Jacob Shanet, who said residents described the assailants as terrorists who carried out a coordinated operation.
According to the statement, the attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday, February 7, 2026. The assailants reportedly stormed the community at about 3:20 a.m. (WAT) and attacked the priest’s residence, among other locations.
Three residents—Mr. Jacob Dan’azumi, Mr. Maitala Kaura, and Alhaji Kusari—were killed during the напад, while several others were taken away by the attackers.
The diocese expressed deep sorrow over the incident and called on priests, Christian faithful, and people of goodwill to pray fervently for the safe and speedy release of Rev. Fr. Asuwaye and the other abducted victims.
It also offered prayers for the repose of the souls of those killed in the attack and entrusted the victims to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, urging sustained solidarity and prayers amid the worsening security situation in parts of Kaduna State.
