Catholic Church in Nigeria

The Latest

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

Father Marcellus Nwaohuocha was freed from captivity in the Archdiocese of Jos in Nigeria June 20, 2023.

Nigerian priest freed after torture, hospitalized with ‘deep wounds on his head’

Jun 21, 2023

By ACI Africa

Father Marcellus Nwaohuocha, OMI, who was kidnapped on June 17 from Nigeria’s Jos Archdiocese, has been freed.  Read more

Father Marcellus Nwaohuocha was abducted on June 17, 2023, from the Archdiocese of Jos in Nigeria.

Missionary priest abducted in Nigeria’s Jos Archdiocese; security guard killed

Jun 19, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

Father Marcellus Nwaohuocha, a member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, was kidnapped June 17. Read more

Nigerian Bishop Wilfred Anagbe sat down with CNA in June 2023 to discuss the ongoing persecution and killings of Catholics in his country, which has grown so much in recent years that, he said, “it has become a daily occurrence.”

Nigerian bishop describes persecution and killings of Catholics: ‘It has become a daily occurrence’

Jun 19, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

“If we keep quiet a generation will be wiped out, the population will be wiped out,” Makurdi Bishop Wilfred Anagbe... Read more

Father Jeremiah Yakubu of the Diocese of Kafanchan in Nigeria was freed on Monday, June 12, 2023, after 24 hours in captivity.

Nigerian priest abducted on Corpus Christi Sunday regains freedom

Jun 14, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

Father Jeremiah Yakubu, who was kidnapped from his parish rectory in Karku, Nigeria, Sunday evening, has been released. Read more

The Diocese of Kafanchan in Nigeria said Father Jeremiah Yakubu was taken from his parish's rectory on Sunday, June 11.

Nigeria’s Diocese of Kafanchan appeals for ‘intense prayers’ for abducted priest

Jun 13, 2023

By Magdalene Kahiu

The diocese said Father Jeremiah Yakubu from Holy Trinity Parish in Karku was taken from the rectory at about 11... Read more

Father Charles Onomhoale Igechi was shot dead while returning from pastoral duties in Nigeria’s Benin City Archdiocese on Wednesday, June 7.

Nigerian priest returning from pastoral duties shot dead; archdiocese in ‘great shock’

Jun 12, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

In a statement shared June 8 with ACI Africa, CNA’s African news partner, Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze expressed shock at... Read more

Father Matthias Opara was freed May 28, 2023, after spending three days in captivity in Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri.

Catholic priest in Nigeria freed on Pentecost Sunday after three days in captivity

May 30, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

Father Matthias Opara, a Nigerian Catholic priest who was abducted on May 26 while returning from a funeral, has been... Read more

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CNA freelancer recounts ‘horrifying experience’ of witnessing Nigeria firefight

May 26, 2023

By Douglas Burton

The exchange of gunfire, which lasted about an hour, took place on May 16 in Mangu City in Central Nigeria’s... Read more

Burned vehicles after Good Friday raid on April 7, 2023, in Ngban, Benue state, Nigeria.

Advocates for persecuted Christians in Nigeria question U.S. report that portrays Fulani as victims

May 2, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

Advocates for persecuted Christians in Nigeria are criticizing a new report prepared by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.   Read more

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5-year-old beheaded, 33 killed in Nigeria; Christian foundation calls for action

Apr 20, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

A 5-year-old boy was reportedly beheaded when Islamists attacked a village in southern Kaduna State, leaving dozens of people dead. Read more

Easter Sunday Mass on April 9, 2023, was held for the first time in 10 months at St. Francis Xavier Owo Catholic Parish of Ondo Diocese in Nigeria.

Nigerian Catholic church attacked on Pentecost Sunday last year resumes public worship

Apr 14, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

A parish church in Nigeria that was attacked on Pentecost Sunday last year reopened for Easter Sunday Mass on April... Read more

Burned vehicles after Good Friday raid on April 7, 2023, in Ngban, Benue state, Nigeria.

Holy Week attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria leave nearly 100 dead

Apr 10, 2023

By Douglas Burton

The deadly raids were another sign of worsening violence in Nigeria’s Benue state. Read more

Residents of Adunu line up to cast their ballots in Adunu Feb. 25, 2023.

Dozens still captive in Nigeria after deadly raid on Catholic town

Apr 6, 2023

By Douglas Burton

Armed bandits killed one person and kidnapped more than 100 others in a March 14 raid on a predominantly Catholic... Read more

Ruins after a militia attack in Benue state, Nigeria, during the last week of February 2023.

Waves of attacks displace Catholic natives in central Nigeria

Mar 15, 2023

By Douglas Burton

Recent terrorist raids in Benue, a predominantly Catholic state in north-central Nigeria, are getting scant mention in Nigeria news. Read more