THIS DAWN — The abductors of Rev. Fr. Bobbo Paschal, Parish Priest of St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Kushe Gugdu, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have reportedly contacted the family, demanding five million Naira ransom.
The attackers had stormed the parish in the early hours of Monday, killing one person and taking the priest alongside several parishioners.
THIS DAWN reported that in the early hours of Monday, 17 November 2025, armed assailants stormed the Parish and abducted Rev. Fr. Paschal.
This medium, however, received unconfirmed information that the cleric has actually been murdered by his captors.
During the same attack, the brother of another cleric, Rev. Fr. Anthony Yero, was killed, while several parishioners were also taken.
The Church has described the incident as part of a growing pattern of targeted violence against clergy and communities in northern Nigeria.
Worsening security crisis
Nigeria’s worsening security crisis deepened this week with multiple cases of attacks and abductions.
Local sources confirmed that the abductors have now demanded a ransom of ₦5 million for Fr. Paschal’s release.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna has called for urgent prayers and solidarity, urging the faithful to intercede for the priest’s safe return.
This latest abduction underscores the escalating wave of kidnappings across Northern Nigeria.
Just days earlier, 25 schoolgirls were seized from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, in an attack that also claimed the life of the school’s Vice Principal.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has since ordered heightened security deployments to Kebbi and Kwara States.
Vulnerability of religious & educational institutions
The terrorists had also attacked worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, killing at least two congregants.
The Kaduna incident adds to a grim tally of assaults on clergy and schools, highlighting the vulnerability of both religious institutions and educational facilities.
Priests have increasingly become targets of bandit groups, with the Catholic Church repeatedly condemning the attacks as assaults on faith, education, and community life.
Security analysts warn that the coordinated nature of these kidnappings suggests emboldened criminal networks exploiting Nigeria’s porous security architecture.
Communities in Kaduna, Kebbi, and Niger States remain on edge, with parents and parishioners rushing to schools and churches at dawn in search of information about loved ones.
The Federal Government has vowed to intensify counter-terrorism operations.
Critics, however, argue that symbolic gestures — such as trip cancellations by the President — fall short of the decisive leadership required to confront the crisis.
For many Nigerians, the abduction of Fr. Paschal is not just another statistic but a painful reminder of the daily threats to life, worship, and education.
As negotiations continue, the fate of the Kaduna priest hangs in the balance, emblematic of a nation struggling to protect its citizens from relentless waves of terror.
Timeline of Recent Kidnappings and Attacks
| Date | Location | Incident | Victims | Outcome |
| Nov 16, 2025 | Maga, Kebbi State | Terrorists attacked Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School | 25 schoolgirls abducted; Vice Principal killed | President Tinubu ordered urgent rescue operations |
| Nov 17, 2025 | Kushe Gugdu, Kagarko LGA, Kaduna State | Armed bandits stormed St. Stephen’s Catholic Parish | Rev. Fr. Bobbo Paschal abducted; parishioners kidnapped; one person killed (brother of Fr. Anthony Yero) | Bandits demand ₦5 million ransom for priest’s release |
| Nov 17, 2025 | Eruku, Kwara State | Terrorists raided Christ Apostolic Church during worship | Several worshippers killed; others abducted | Security forces deployed to Ekiti LGA for reinforcement |
| Nov 21, 2025 | Papiri, Niger State | Armed men invaded St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School | Unconfirmed number of students abducted | Police yet to confirm details; fear grips community |
Key Patterns
- Targeting of Schools & Churches: Religious and educational institutions are increasingly vulnerable.
- Escalating Ransom Demands: Bandits now openly demand large sums (₦5 million for Fr. Paschal).
- Government Response: President Tinubu has postponed foreign trips, directing military and police reinforcements to affected states.
- Community Impact: Fear and uncertainty dominate local communities, with parents and parishioners rushing to schools and churches for updates.
This timeline shows how the Kaduna priest’s abduction is part of a coordinated surge in kidnappings across Northern Nigeria, underscoring the urgent need for stronger security measures.
Why This Matters
The timeline makes clear that schools and churches are being systematically targeted.
The close succession of attacks within just five days shows a coordinated surge in banditry and terrorism.
Communities across Kaduna, Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger are now living under constant fear and insecurity.
