Boko Haram

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Father Jude Nwachukwu (left) and Father Kenneth Kanwa were kidnapped from their parish rectory in the Diocese of Pankshin in Nigeria on Feb. 1, 2024.

Two missionary priests who were kidnapped in Nigeria released

Feb 12, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

Father Kenneth Kanwa and Father Jude Nwachukwu were taken from the rectory at St. Vincent de Paul Fier Parish in... Read more

Father Jude Nwachukwu (left) and Father Kenneth Kanwa were kidnapped from their parish rectory in the Diocese of Pankshin in Nigeria on Feb. 1, 2024.

Two priests kidnapped from parish rectory in Nigeria

Feb 6, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

A religious missionary order in Nigeria is appealing for the safe release of two of its members who were abducted... Read more

Janada Marcus with Pope Francis at the general audience on March 8, 2023.

Pope Francis meets with two Nigerian girls who were kidnapped by Boko Haram

Mar 8, 2023

By Courtney Mares, Peter Pinedo

The women, who both saw members of their families murdered by Boko Haram, met with the pope at the end... Read more

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Pastor and more than 80 others kidnapped in attacks on two Nigerian churches

Sep 23, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell

On Sept. 17, militants raided the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Suleja in Niger state and abducted dozens of worshippers... Read more

The entrance to Christ the King Major Seminary in Fayit, Fadan Kagoma, Nigeria, whence three seminarians were abducted Oct. 11, 2021.

Expert urges attention to persecuted Christians as bishops decry Islamist violence in Nigeria

Jan 28, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Victims of persecution in Nigeria must be listened to, an expert on the persecution of Christians told students at the... Read more

Charles, a 33-year-old father of a family who is a refugee at Pulka in Nigeria's Borno State.

Heroic Nigerian priest risks his life daily to help Christian refugees, aid agency says

Dec 15, 2021

By Agnes Aineah

Not every Catholic priest risks mortal danger every time he visits his people, but this Nigerian priest does. Read more

The flag of Nigeria on a soldier’s arm.

Report: 17 Christians killed every day in Nigeria in first half of 2021

Jul 31, 2021

By CNA Staff

More than 3,000 Christians were murdered in 2021’s first 200 days. Read more

Nigerian Christians displaced from their homes by Boko Haram attacks. Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Maiduguri.

Nigerian seminarian calls for 'prayer backed up with action' to counter violence

Jul 19, 2021

By Katie Yoder

Religious persecution is rampant in Nigeria, where militant groups such as Boko Haram carry out abductions that appear to target... Read more

Ash Wednesday celebration at St. Patrick cathedral in Maiduguri, Feb. 26, 2020

‘At every time, you could be a target’: Despite danger, Nigerian priest ministers to refugees of terrorism

Jul 16, 2021

By Matt Hadro

A Nigerian priest who ministers to trauma victims in the country’s northeast says he is aware of the danger priests... Read more

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto addresses a dinner of ADF International, "The Crisis of Religious Freedom in Nigeria," at the 2021 International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, D.C.

'I believe in the Resurrection': Nigerian bishop keeps hope amid rampant violence

Jul 15, 2021

By Matt Hadro

As some warn that anti-Christian violence in Nigeria is reaching the level of genocide, the bishop of the Diocese of... Read more

Fr. Elijah Juma Wada was abducted on June 30, 2021, in Nigeria’s Maiduguri diocese.

Catholic priest in Nigeria who escaped nine-day captivity 'responding well to medication'

Jul 13, 2021

By Evans Kipkura

Fr. Elijah Juma Wada, a priest of the Diocese of Maiduguri who was abducted June 30 and held for nine... Read more

Fr. Elijah Juma Wada was abducted on June 30, 2021, in Nigeria’s Maiduguri diocese.

Suspected members of Boko Haram kidnap Catholic priest in Nigeria

Jul 7, 2021

By CNA Staff

Fr. Elijah Juma Wada was abducted on June 30. Read more

Funeral Mass in Nigeria

‘This thing’s going to blow up on us’: The religious extremism fueling violence in Nigeria

May 14, 2021

By Matt Hadro

Escalating bloodshed in Nigeria is fueled in part by religious extremism – and the United States must recognize this in... Read more

President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria.

Lagos archbishop urges Nigerian president to secure release of kidnapped girl

Feb 23, 2021

Three years after Leah Sharibu was abducted from her school in Dapchi in Yobe State within Nigeria’s Diocese of Maiduguri,... Read more

Pope Francis touches a statue of Our Lady of Luján at his general audience in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace Dec. 2, 2020.

Pope Francis prays for victims of Islamist attack in Nigeria that left 30 beheaded

Dec 2, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said Wednesday that he was praying for Nigeria following a massacre of at least 110 farmers in which... Read more

Church in Akure, the largest city in Ondo State, Nigeria.

'Beyond reprehensible': Christian aid workers executed in Nigeria

Jul 28, 2020

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom released a statement on Tuesday condemning the execution of five aid workers... Read more

Flag of Nigeria on soldiers arm.

Attack on Nigerian village leaves 80 dead

Jun 11, 2020

The militant group Boko Haram is believed to be behind a recent attack on a Nigerian village that left at... Read more

Days before attack, Nigerian bishop warned of poor protection for Christians

Feb 11, 2020

Just days before a suspected Islamist militant attack killed 30 people in Nigeria, a prominent bishop in the country lamented... Read more

Displaced persons in Maiduguri, who are being cared for by the local Church, in September 2014.

Islamists in Nigeria kill Christian hostages

Dec 27, 2019

The Islamic State group in Nigeria released a video Thursday claiming to show the killing of 11 Christian men.  Read more

Nigerian Catholics brave persecution to remain steadfast in faith

Feb 21, 2019

Despite the constant threat of violence from Boko Haram terrorists, Catholics in Nigeria remain faithful to the Gospel, trusting God... Read more