Tension in Kaduna as Armed Men Abduct Catholic Priest Rev. Fr. Bobbo Paschal, Kill His Brother

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Fear and outrage have gripped Kaduna State following a violent attack in the early hours of November 17, 2025, in Kushe Gugdu, Kagarko Local Government Area.

Armed assailants stormed the residence of Rev. Fr. Bobbo Paschal, the parish priest of St. Joseph Catholic Church, abducting him along with several community members and killing his older brother during the raid.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna confirmed the abduction and the killing shortly after the incident, calling on Nigerians to pray for the safe return of the priest and others taken.

The attack adds to the growing list of clergies targeted by kidnappers in northern Nigeria, a region already overwhelmed by banditry, terror-linked violence, and widespread insecurity.

As news of the abduction spread, social media erupted with unverified reports claiming that Fr. Paschal had been murdered by his captors.

By November 19, the rumours had gone viral, triggering grief, panic, and renewed calls for government intervention. However, as of November 20, neither the archdiocese nor security agencies have confirmed the priest’s death, urging the public to disregard misinformation until official updates are released.

Residents of Kagarko describe the assault as another painful reminder of the worsening security crisis affecting rural communities across Kaduna State.

The region has seen repeated attacks tied to armed bandits and extremist groups, including Boko Haram affiliates, who continue to target villages, highways, and religious leaders.

The killing of Fr. Paschal’s brother and the abduction of the priest have sparked demands for stronger security deployment, with community members expressing frustration over the frequency of kidnappings. Church leaders have also appealed for calm and collective prayer as authorities work to locate the victims.

Security operatives have not yet issued a formal update on rescue efforts, leaving many anxiously awaiting new information in what has become another tragic chapter in Nigeria’s escalating wave of violence against clergy and vulnerable communities.