Rev. Fr. Bobbo Paschal, is a parish priest serving at St. Stephen Parish in Kushe Gugdu, Kagarko LGA of Kaduna
The Catholic community in Kaduna has been thrown into fresh distress following the kidnapping of Rev. Fr. Bobbo Paschal, a parish priest serving at St. Stephen Parish in Kushe Gugdu, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Monday, November 17, 2025, when armed bandits stormed the community and whisked away several residents, including Fr. Paschal, from his residence.
The Archdiocese of Kaduna confirmed the incident on Monday, describing it as yet another blow to a region already grappling with relentless bandit violence.
In a letter addressed to priests, religious, and lay faithful, the Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Christian Okewu Emmanuel, described the situation as heartbreaking.
“I write to inform you of the attack on Kushe Gugdu and the abduction of one of our priests, Rev. Fr. Bobbo Paschal… During the attack, many others were abducted, and the brother of Rev. Fr. Anthony Yero was killed,” the Chancellor said.
He further appealed to the faithful and the general public for spiritual support:
“We call on all men and women of goodwill to join us in praying for their safety and quick release from the hands of their abductors, and for the peaceful repose of the dead. Amen.”
As at the time of filing this report, police authorities had not issued any response regarding the attack, leaving the public with more questions than answers about ongoing security operations in the area.
The kidnapping adds to a disturbing pattern of attacks that continue to plague communities across northern Nigeria. In recent years, church leaders and advocacy organizations have raised alarms over what they describe as targeted violence against Christian communities, with some international groups even framing the killings and mass abductions as possible “genocide-level” threats. While the Nigerian government denies such characterizations, the persistent inability to curb bandit activity has fueled public frustration.
Globally, voices calling for stronger international support have also grown louder, especially from advocacy groups in the United States. These renewed appeals come amid political debates over whether foreign military partnerships—including those hinted at by former President Donald Trump’s circle—could play any role in supporting Nigeria’s fight against rural insurgencies. However, no concrete American military initiative has been announced.
For now, the Archdiocese says its priority is securing the safe return of Fr. Paschal and other victims from Kushe Gugdu. Community members continue to hold prayer vigils while anxiously waiting for news from security agencies.
