Monk Killed after Kidnapping at Nigerian Monastery Eulogized as Prayerful, Easygoing

The Priest said that Br. Godwin and his companions were abducted at around 1 a.m. as they slept in the Novitiate block at the Monastery.

“The Fulani bandits came armed. They broke through the iron doors of the Novitiate block where about 12 of our brothers, including Novices and Postulants, were sleeping. They took the three and went with them in the middle of the night,” Fr. Joseph said.

Br. Anthony and Br. Peter are Postulants at the Monastery where Br. Godwin lived a quiet life as a Novice.

In the interview with ACI Africa, Fr. Joseph recounted the experiences of the three following their abduction, saying, “They were forced to walk barefoot. They said that on the way, and throughout their captivity, they were beaten using machetes. Their abductors wanted money.”

He said that the two Benedictine Postulants who were set free are recovering in a hospital.

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Meanwhile, a search has commenced to retrieve the body of Br. Godwin from the river where his captors threw it.

Fr. Joseph also told ACI Africa that the Nigerian Monastery had been forced to implement drastic measures following the October 17 attack and kidnapping.

“We have had to relocate our brothers to a safer place since we continue to receive threats of more attacks,” he said.

Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.