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Kidnapping Kidnapping/Abduction NNG0721

Gunmen invaded St. John's Catholic Church in Kudenda, Kaduna South LGA, at approximately 1:30 a.m. and abducted the parish priest, Fr. Joseph Akete Bako, along with his younger brother who was visiting him. The assistant parish priest managed to escape during the attack. A security guard, identified as Luka Philip, was killed. Other reports indicate that a woman and her two children from nearby homes were also abducted.

8 Mar 2022 · Kudenda, Kaduna South, Kaduna

Deaths

0

Injured

0

Kidnapped

2

Total casualties

0

Perpetrators

Unidentified Armed Actors

Response

The Archdiocese of Kaduna officially confirmed the abduction on March 9 and called for prayers. Negotiations were held for his release, but no progress was made

Displacement

0

Socioeconomic drivers

Weak security presence in Kaduna State, enabling bandits to operate with impunity. Archbishop Ndagoso stated that "the political will is not there to address the issues of security" and that the government's response has been inadequate

Trajectory

This incident reflects the growing trend of targeting members of the clergy in Nigeria. Fr. Bako's abduction in March was part of a wave—within the same month, two other priests (Fr. Leo Raphael Ozigi and Fr. Felix Zakari Fidson) were also kidnapped in Kaduna State, though they were later released. The 48-year-old priest's death after weeks of captivity highlights the lethal combination of physical torture and poor health conditions in kidnappers' camps.

Cycle notes

The abduction of Rev. Fr. Joseph Akete Bako directly echoed the 28 directly echoed the 26 December 2021 abduction of Charles Mato Dakat, the Sum Pyem of Gindiri in Mangu LGA of Plateau State, and the 19 October 2018 killing of Dr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima, the Agom Adara III of the Adara Chiefdom in Kaduna State. This incident also connects to the 2 January 2018 abduction of Yohanna Sidi Kukah, the Agwom Akulu II of Ikulu in Kaduna State; the 27 November 2019 abduction of Mohammed Ibrahim Pada; 20 April 2020 kidnapping of Alhaji Shehu Sulaiman, the Pankwal Bogghom of Bogghon District in Kanam LGA of Plateau State; and the 30 March 2022 abduction of Hassan Shamidozhi.

Pattern

Clergy Targeting

Sources