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Abduction

Fr. Joseph Danjuma Shekari, freed Monday, 7 February 2022 after 24hours in captivity in Nigeria’s Kafanchan Diocese. Credit: Kafanchan Diocese

Nigerian Catholic Priest Abducted Sunday Regains Freedom a Day Later

Feb 8, 2022

A Nigerian Catholic Priest who was kidnapped from his Parish residence in Nigeria’s Diocese of Kafanchan on Sunday, January 6, has regained his freedom a day later.

Sister Gloria Cecilia Narváez. CEC

Nun Released after Years of Captivity in Mali Thanks God, All Who Facilitated Her Release

Oct 19, 2021

Sister Gloria Cecilia Narváez Argoti, a missionary who was abducted in Mali in February 2017 and held for nearly five years, posted Sunday on Twitter thanking God and all those who made possible her liberation.

Pope Francis greets the recently freed Sr. Gloria Cecilia Narváez Argoti at the Vatican, Oct. 10, 2021. Vatican Media.

Colombian Nun Kidnapped in Mali in 2017 Freed, Greeted, Blessed By Pope Francis at Vatican

Oct 10, 2021

Sr. Gloria Cecilia Narváez Argoti was kidnapped in 2017.

Sister Gloria Cecilia Narváez. CEC

Project Wake Up Seeking Prayers for Missionary Sister Kidnapped in Mali in 2017

Aug 11, 2021

An initiative that works to highlight persecution of Christians released Friday a video seeking prayers for Sister Gloria Cecilia Nárvaez Argoti, a missionary who was abducted in Mali in February 2017.

A map of Kaduna State in Northwest Nigeria/ Credit: Bioreports

Nigeria’s Church Leaders Condemn Sunday Killing, Abduction of Christians in Kaduna Region

Apr 26, 2021

Church leaders in Nigeria’s Kaduna region have condemned the Sunday killing and abduction of Christians of a local church, saying the incident is an expression of the “sorry state of the security situation in the country and in particular, Kaduna State.”

Fr. Izu Marcel Onyeocha who was kidnapped on April 10. He regained his freedom on April 12. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Abducted Nigerian Catholic Priest Freed After Weekend Ordeal “in stable condition”

Apr 12, 2021

The Nigerian Catholic Priest who had been abducted Saturday, April 10 has been freed and is “in stable condition,” the leadership of his Religious Order has confirmed.

Sr. Gloria Cecilia Narváez, a member of the Congregation of the Fransiscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate who was kidnapped in February 2017 in Mali / Courtesy Photo

Church in Mali Recounts “beautiful” Apostolate of Colombian Nun Abducted Four Years Ago

Feb 12, 2021

The Catholic Church is praying for the safe release of a Colombian nun who was abducted by jihadists linked to Al-Qaeda four years ago, leaving behind what has been described as a “beautiful, wonderful project” that sought to increase literacy among women in the West African country.

Bishop Moses Chikwe, Auxiliary Bishop of Nigeria’s Archdiocese of Owerri kidnapped by unknown gunmen Sunday, December 27.

Nigerian Prelate Appeals for Renewed Prayers for Abducted Bishop amid “misleading” Reports

Dec 30, 2020

The Archbishop of Nigeria’s Owerri Archdiocese is appealing for renewed prayers for the safety and freedom of his Auxiliary Bishop and the driver who were abducted Sunday, December 27 amid misleading information about the duo.  

Bishop Moses Chikwe, Auxiliary Bishop of Nigeria’s Archdiocese of Owerri kidnapped by unknown gunmen Sunday, December 27.

Nigerian Bishop Abducted, Church Leadership Praying for His “safety, quick release”

Dec 29, 2020

Prayers are being sought for the “safety and quick release” of a Nigerian Catholic Bishop who was abducted December 27 in the capital of Nigeria’s Imo State, Owerri.

Fr. Valentine Oluchukwu Ezeagu pictured shortly after his released Wednesday, December 16.

Nigerian Religious Cleric Abducted Tuesday “unconditionally released”

Dec 17, 2020

The Nigerian Religious Cleric abducted earlier this week on his way to his dad’s funeral has been “unconditionally released,” the leadership of his Religious Congregation has announced. 

Fr Matthew Dajo freed by his abductors Wednesday, December 2 after spending 10 days in captivity. / Facebook Page Archdiocese of Abuja.

Abducted Nigerian Priest Freed after 10-Day Captivity Traumatized, in Hospital

Dec 3, 2020

The Nigerian Priest kidnapped from a Parish of Nigeria’s Abuja Archdiocese last month who was freed Wednesday, December 2 after 10 days of captivity is traumatized and has been hospitalized, ACI Africa has been told.

Christian Cardinal Tumi responding to questions from his captors.

What Cameroonian Cardinal was Told by His Captors During Nightlong Abduction

Nov 9, 2020

Details of what those behind the abduction of Christian Cardinal Tumi told him have emerged in a video shared on social media, with the Cardinal seen calm and collected as he provided responses to some of the questions from his captors.

Christian Cardinal  Tumi, pictured after his liberation on November 6, 2020. / Kumbo Diocese in Cameroon.

Cameroonian Cardinal Freed After Nightlong Abduction “fine, in good health”

Nov 6, 2020

Christian Cardinal Tumi who was abducted Thursday, November 5 in the troubled North West region of Cameroon has been freed, a Bishop in Cameroon has told journalists Friday, November 6.

Fr. Pier Luigi Maccalli, freed Thursday, October 8 after spending two years in captivity. / Society of African Missions (SMA).

Joy, Gratitude to God as Religious Missionary in Niger is Freed after Two-year Abduction

Oct 9, 2020

News reports of the release of Fr. Pier Luigi Maccalli who was abducted just over two years ago in Niger have brought joy and gratitude to members of the Clergy in Africa and beyond who have interpreted the event as an answer to concerted supplications.

Fr. David Echioda of Nigeria's Otukpo diocese who had been kidnapped on March 1, 2020. He was freed on March 3, 2020 / Diocese of Otukpo, Nigeria

Nigerian Priest Abducted Sunday after Mass Has Been Freed

Mar 3, 2020

Nigerian priest Fr. David Echioda who was abducted by gunmen in Nigeria’s Benue State Sunday, March 1 has been freed, sources in Nigerian told ACI Africa Tuesday, March 3.

Nigerian Fr. Nicholas Oboh, kidnapped on February 14, 2020 and released February 18, 2020 / Augustine Mario/Twitter

Recently Abducted Nigerian Priest, Fr. Nicolas Oboh “has regained his freedom”

Feb 19, 2020

The Nigerian priest who had been kidnapped by gunmen Nigeria’s Edo State towards the end of last week, Fr. Nicolas Oboh, has been freed, a message from his diocese of Uromi has confirmed.

Four first-year philosophy seminarians abducted from the Good Shepherd Major Seminary in Nigeria's Kaduna State on the night of January 8, 2020. One of them is receiving medication at a Catholic hospital in Kaduna Archdiocese. / Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kaduna, Nigeria

One of Four Nigerian Seminarians Freed, Receiving Medication at Catholic Hospital

Jan 20, 2020

One of the four Nigerian first-year philosophy seminarians abducted January 8 from the Kaduna-based Good Shepherd Major Seminary was freed Saturday, January 18, having been dumped by the kidnappers along Nigeria’s Kaduna-Abuja highway. He was rescued by some Good Samaritans and he is receiving medication at a Catholic health facility, multiple sources have told ACI Africa.

Church leaders in Nigeria demonstrate against kidnappings targeting priests

After Days with Abductors, Two Nigerian Priests Released Unharmed

Dec 14, 2019

Two Catholic priests from Nigeria’s Awka Diocese, Fr. Felix Efobi and Fr. Joseph Nweke, who were kidnapped December 6 while on their way to a wedding have been released unharmed.

Nigerian Fr. Theophilus Ndulue of Enugu diocese who had been abducted on November 15, 2019 and freed after a day.

Another Catholic Priest in Nigeria’s Enugu Diocese Freed after Abduction

Nov 19, 2019

Nearly two weeks  after Fr. Arinze Madu, the Vice-Rector at Queen of Apostles Spiritual Year Seminary was abducted outside the seminary gate and  released two days later, Nigeria’s diocese of Enugu has yet again had a priest,  Fr. Theophilus Ndulue abducted and released a day later.

Fr. Arinze Madu, Vice Rector at Nigeria’s Queen of Apostles Spiritual Year Seminary, Enugu, kidnapped outside seminary gate and released unharmed two days later on Wednesday, October 30, 2019. He narrated his ordeal to ACI Africa, Friday, November 8, 2019 / Communications office Enugu Diocese, Nigeria

“I started preparing myself towards eternity,” Nigerian Priest Recounts Abduction Ordeal

Nov 9, 2019

Fr. Arinze Madu, the Nigerian Catholic Priest who had been abducted at the gate of Queen of Apostles Spiritual Year Seminary in Nigeria’s Enugu diocese and later released unharmed has recounted his two-day ordeal in the hands of his abductors and told ACI Africa that his safe release was God’s doing and that he had started preparing himself for eternal life.