Nigeria: Bishop calls for prayers for kidnapped priest

Bishop John Bagna Bakeni © ACN

Source: ACN

The auxiliary bishop of Maiduguri, Nigeria, has issued an urgent call for prayers after one of his priests was kidnapped by jihadist terrorists. In a message to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Bishop John Bagna Bakeni said that Father Alphonsus Afina was taken along with others on Sunday 1st June, by militants suspected to belong to Boko Haram/ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province).

Bishop Bakeni said: "Father Alphonsus and two other members of the JDPC [Justice, Development and Peace Commission] were scheduled to attend a workshop which was supposed to begin on Monday in Maiduguri, and were making their way there from Mubi.

"The unfortunate incident happened near Gwoza at about 12:30pm".

According to the bishop, the travelling party was caught in a crossfire between Nigerian soldiers and the terrorists.

He added: "There were many fatalities and abductions. One member of the JDPC was shot dead. Father Alphonsus was abducted along with others, and one of the staff of the JDPC was able to escape to safety."

Bishop Bakeni said he was contacted by the terrorists, who provided proof that Father Alphonsus was alive. He expressed his hope that the priest might soon be released.

The prelate ended his message to ACN with a request for prayers "for the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri, especially during this difficult and trying moment.

"May Our Lady of Perpetual Help intercede for us and for her son, Father Alphonsus Afina, for his safe return to us."

Boko Haram is an Islamist terrorist organisation that has operated in northern Nigeria since 2002.

In 2015 Abubakar Shekau pledged the group's loyalty to Daesh (ISIS), at which point it formally became known as ISWAP.

However, in August 2016, Daesh removed Abubakar Shekau as leader replacing him with Abu Musab Al-Barnawi. The resulting schism saw conflict between the two factions, and in 2021 Abubakar Shekau was killed during a battle between the two sides in the Sambisa Forest.

Though not as strong as it was because of the infighting, Boko Haram/ISWAP still commands significant resources and is considered a threat in the region.

Father Alphonsus is the 15th religious minister to be kidnapped in the country since the beginning of the year.

Two of the abductees were murdered, while the others subsequently regained their freedom.

LINK

Aid to the Church in Need: www.acnuk.org