Articles by Douglas Burton
Suspended priest takes charge of Nigeria’s strife-torn Benue State
Jul 2, 2023 / 06:00 amHyacinth Iormen Alia ignored the admonitions of his bishop by successfully running for governor of Benue State.
CNA freelancer recounts ‘horrifying experience’ of witnessing Nigeria firefight
May 26, 2023 / 16:15 pmThe exchange of gunfire, which lasted about an hour, took place on May 16 in Mangu City in Central Nigeria’s Plateau State.
Holy Week attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria leave nearly 100 dead
Apr 10, 2023 / 13:04 pmThe deadly raids were another sign of worsening violence in Nigeria’s Benue state.
Dozens still captive in Nigeria after deadly raid on Catholic town
Apr 6, 2023 / 03:00 amArmed bandits killed one person and kidnapped more than 100 others in a March 14 raid on a predominantly Catholic town in north-central Nigeria.
Waves of attacks displace Catholic natives in central Nigeria
Mar 15, 2023 / 14:15 pmRecent terrorist raids in Benue, a predominantly Catholic state in north-central Nigeria, are getting scant mention in Nigeria news.
Muslim-Muslim ticket proclaimed winner of Nigeria’s presidential election amid protests
Mar 1, 2023 / 15:45 pmThe country’s Catholic bishops, among others, have sharply criticized the Independent Nigerian Election Commission for its handling of the vote count.
Nigerians head to the polls to choose a new president — and brace for post-election violence
Feb 23, 2023 / 17:05 pmPeter Obi, one of three leading candidates, is Catholic and a popular former governor.
Nigeria bishop: Pre-Christmas massacre part of ‘a deliberate plan to unleash evil’ against Christians
Dec 22, 2022 / 03:00 amWitnesses say armed Fulani herdsmen attacked several Christian villages on Dec. 18, leaving as many as 46 people dead and thousands displaced.
Despite incessant attacks, Nigerian Catholics keep their faith
Dec 2, 2022 / 13:45 pmAttacks by groups of Islamist militia variously called “herdsmen,” “bandits,” or “unknown gunmen” increasingly victimize farming towns in Nigeria.
Dozens of Catholic villagers reportedly killed in Central Nigeria raid
Oct 29, 2022 / 15:45 pmThe state police commissioner says no more than 10 people were slain, but a county official claims more than 70 bodies have been recovered.
Nigerian bishop appeals for help from European Parliament as terrorist attacks continue
Oct 14, 2022 / 18:00 pmSince Oct. 8 terrorist attacks have claimed eight lives, displaced thousands, and left parishioners traumatized in Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbea's dicoese.
Freed Nigerian priest recounts details of his kidnapping by insurgents
Sep 7, 2022 / 08:00 amFather Stephen Ojapah had fallen fast asleep late on May 25 after an exhausting day of parish work when two men with rifles ordered him to get out of bed and follow them.
Journalist who reported on massacre of Nigerian Christians to stand trial for “cyberstalking”
Aug 18, 2022 / 16:30 pmLuka Binniyat, a Catholic human rights reporter, is facing prison after writing an article in which the Nigerian government was criticized for its inaction in the face of an ongoing threat to Christian communities.
Catholic parish in Nigeria struggles to feed thousands uprooted by violent attacks
Aug 12, 2022 / 13:00 pmFrom May 1 to June 30, 70 unarmed persons across Benue State in north-central Nigeria were killed in attacks by Fulani herdsmen, a Catholic bishop says.
Nigerian militants appear to target Catholic priests for kidnapping: Why?
Jul 14, 2022 / 13:27 pmFather Peter Amodu was supposed to say the 5 p.m. Mass at Holy Ghost Parish in southern Nigeria on July 6.
Nigerian Christian villagers claim military helicopter fired on them, not bandits
Jul 4, 2022 / 11:41 amAuthorities deny the charge and have tried to reassure villagers the government is on their side.
Eyewitness details brutal 'blasphemy murder' of Nigerian Christian student
Jun 23, 2022 / 14:01 pmA close friend who was with Deborah Emmanuel when she died describes her final hours.
Nigerian Catholic parish hard hit in latest raid
Jun 21, 2022 / 14:40 pm“We lost three of our parishioners, and 36 people were kidnapped, the majority of whom were Catholics,” a Nigerian pastor says.