Father Bobbo Paschal was kidnapped on November 17 during an attack on his parish in Kaduna State.
Father Bobbo Paschal, a Nigerian priest, has been released after spending two months in captivity. He was abducted on November 17 following an attack on the parish residence where he served, located in Kaduna State, in north-central Nigeria. During the assault, the attackers killed Father Bobbo’s brother.
According to the news agency Fides, the Archdiocese of Kaduna issued a statement confirming Father Paschal’s release, which took place on January 17. The Archbishop of Kaduna, Monsignor Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, expressed his gratitude to the security forces for their efforts, as well as to the faithful for their prayers during this difficult time.
So far, no further details have been disclosed regarding the circumstances of Father Paschal’s release.
Nigerian Bishops Denounce the Persecution of Christians
The case of Father Bobbo Paschal is not an isolated incident. Nigerian bishops have reported that more than 200 priests have been kidnapped over the past decade. According to them, this crisis has affected 70% of the country’s dioceses. Moreover, attacks continue unabated.
Between December 28 and January 3, at least 50 people were killed by armed groups. This violence adds to the massacres that have occurred over the past year, including the deadliest one in Yelwata, where more than 200 people lost their lives at the hands of attackers.
According to the 2025 Religious Freedom in the World Report by the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Nigeria is one of the countries where Christians face persecution. This situation is largely due to the expansion of jihadist groups in the north of the country and the incursions of radicalized Fulani herders in the Middle Belt region.
