A wave of grief has swept through Kaduna State following confirmation that a kidnapped Anglican priest and several other abducted victims have been killed by terrorists. Local community leaders and security sources say the victims were murdered after days in captivity, deepening fears over escalating insecurity in the state’s rural and semi-urban areas.
The Anglican priest, whose abduction drew widespread condemnation from religious bodies and civil society groups, was reportedly taken during a raid on a community in the Kajuru axis. Residents said the attackers stormed the area heavily armed, looting homes and forcibly taking hostages before retreating into the surrounding forests.
Attempts by families and community representatives to negotiate the release of the priest and other victims reportedly stalled, with the terrorists issuing impossible demands. Their bodies were later discovered in a nearby bush, sparking anguish and renewed calls for urgent government action.
Church leaders have denounced the killings as “barbaric and heartbreaking,” urging both state and federal authorities to prioritize the protection of clergy and vulnerable communities repeatedly targeted by armed groups. Security operatives have launched a search operation, though residents say fear continues to permeate everyday life.
The Kaduna State Government and police authorities are yet to issue a detailed statement, but sources indicate that counter-terror operations have been intensified around known encampments of the assailants.
The tragedy adds to the mounting list of security lapses in the region, highlighting the continued vulnerability of rural populations and the urgent need for coordinated intervention.
Sources:
– Daily Trust
– Premium Times Nigeria
– Channels TV
– Vanguard
– Reuters Africa Desk
