Catholic Church in Nigeria

The Latest

Brother Godwin Eze.

‘I am prepared to die a martyr’: Freed Nigerian monk recounts kidnapping, murder of brother monk

Nov 30, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

Brother Peter Olarewaju recounts the horrific kidnapping and torture he and other monks suffered, including the murder of a brother... Read more

A road in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Christianity growing despite world’s worst persecutions, new report says

Nov 8, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

A new report from a Christian advocacy group says that Christianity continues to thrive and grow despite brutal repression. Read more

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Diocese of Sokoto in Nigeria.

Nigerian bishop: Tens of thousands spent to rescue kidnapped priests, seminarians

Nov 3, 2023

By ACI Africa

Most of the money has been spent rescuing priests, seminarians, and other pastoral caregivers who were kidnapped by various militia... Read more

U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.

Religious persecution is threat to U.S. national security, experts tell Congress

Oct 26, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

In testimony to the House Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, experts said that religious... Read more

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Monk killed after kidnapping from Nigerian monastery eulogized as prayerful, easygoing

Oct 25, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

Brother Godwin Eze was kidnapped Oct. 17 alongside two others from the Benedictine monastery in Eruku, Nigeria, located in the... Read more

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Monk shot, body thrown in river following kidnapping at Nigerian monastery

Oct 24, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

A diocese in Nigeria announced that Brother Godwin Eze, a monk who was kidnapped with two others from a Benedictine... Read more

Three nuns, a seminarian, and the driver of the vehicle they were in were abducted in Nigeria’s Imo State on Oct. 5, 2023. The nuns’ order, the Missionary Daughters of Mater Ecclesiae, appealed for their safe release in an Oct. 6 statement. The group was released Oct. 13-14, 2023.

Religious congregation grateful after release of abducted nuns, seminarian in Nigeria

Oct 19, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

Three Catholic nuns, a seminarian, and their driver were abducted from Nigeria’s Abakaliki Diocese on Oct. 5 and released Oct.... Read more

Three nuns, a seminarian, and the driver of the vehicle they were in were abducted in Nigeria’s Imo State on Oct. 5, 2023. The nuns’ order, the Missionary Daughters of Mater Ecclesiae, appealed for their safe release in an Oct. 6 statement.

Sisters issue appeal for ‘safe release’ of 3 nuns who were abducted from Nigerian diocese

Oct 11, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

The vicar general of the Missionary Daughters of Mater Ecclesiae in Nigeria said five people were abducted Oct. 5 in... Read more

A screen grab from a video shared with ACI Africa that shows the parish house at St. Raphael Fadan Kamantan Catholic Church of the Diocese of Kafanchan in flames Sept. 7, 2023.

Suspects arrested in killing of seminarian in Nigerian parish rectory fire

Oct 5, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

Seminarian Na’aman Danlami died after Fulani bandits reportedly attacked St. Raphael Parish Fadan Kamantan on the night of Sept. 7... Read more

Father Marcellinus Obioma Okide was reportedly abducted from Nigeria’s Enugu Diocese on Sept. 17, 2023.

Abducted priest in Nigeria released, diocese ‘grateful’

Sep 25, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

Father Marcellinus Obioma Okide, a parish priest at St. Mary Amofia-Agu Affa Parish in the Enugu Diocese, was set free... Read more

Father Paul Sanogo (left) and seminarian Melchior Maharini, who were kidnapped from their community of Missionaries of Africa in Nigeria’s Diocese of Minna on Aug. 3, 2023, said the terrifying experience helped their faith grow stronger.

‘We came back stronger’: Priest, seminarian abducted in Nigeria recall three-week ordeal

Sep 22, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

“When the men took us, I had so much fear in my heart, thinking of the worst that could happen... Read more

A road in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Human rights group to Nigeria security agents after priest’s kidnapping: ‘Act or resign’

Sep 20, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law has condemned the Sept. 16-17 kidnapping of more than 30... Read more

Father Marcellinus Obioma Okide was reportedly abducted from Nigeria’s Enugu Diocese on Sept. 17, 2023.

Nigerian diocese calls for prayers for kidnapped priest

Sep 19, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

Father Marcellinus Obioma Okide was on his way back to his parish in the Enugu Diocese on Sept. 17 when... Read more

Seminarian Na’aman Danlami died when Fulanis attacked St. Raphael Fadan Kamantan Parish on the night of Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.

Seminarian in Nigeria burned alive in botched kidnapping 

Sep 8, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

Seminarian Na’aman Danlami died when Fulanis attacked St. Raphael Fadan Kamantan Parish on Thursday, Sept. 7, and set the rectory... Read more

A map of Nigeria.

Nigerian teen whose Christian conversion triggered death threats granted restraining order

Aug 28, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Following threats by family members, the young woman sought a restraining order against her father and brothers. Read more

Seminarian David Igba during a pastoral visit at Scared Heart Udei of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria.

Seminarian in Nigeria narrowly escapes shooting by Islamist Fulani attackers

Aug 24, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

David Igba was traveling with two others when their car was sprayed with bullets by a group of gun-wielding Fulani... Read more

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Church prays for release of kidnapped priest and seminarian in Nigeria

Aug 9, 2023

By Diego López Marina

Father Paul Sanogo and seminarian Melkiori Dominick Mahinini were kidnapped early in the morning of Aug. 3 in Niger state. Read more

Niger's National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland  Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane (center), General Mohamed Toumba (center-left), and Colonel Ousmane Abarchi (right) are greeted upon their arrival at the Stade General Seyni Kountche in Niamey, Niger, on Aug. 6, 2023.

Nigerian bishops discourage military intervention in Niger after coup

Aug 8, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The Economic Community of West African States threatened military intervention if Niger’s military refused to restore democracy within one week. Read more

Residents of Ngbam, Benue state, Nigeria, on April 8, 2023, the day after gunmen killed at least 43 people and injured another 40.

House chairman: State Department is giving religious freedom violators ‘a pass’

Jul 19, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

“I am concerned that the U.S. State Department is not using all the tools provided to hold guilty parties accountable,”... Read more

The campaign poster for Father Hyacinth Iormen Alia alluded to his well-known healing ministry.

Suspended priest takes charge of Nigeria’s strife-torn Benue State

Jul 2, 2023

By Douglas Burton

Hyacinth Iormen Alia ignored the admonitions of his bishop by successfully running for governor of Benue State. Read more