Boko Haram kidnaps Nigerian Priest near Cameroon border

Nigerian Priest Abducted in Borno State

A Nigerian Catholic priest who recently returned from the United States has been abducted by Boko Haram militants near Nigeria’s northeastern border with Cameroon. Rev. Alphonsus Afina was seized along with other travelers on June 1 near the town of Gwoza in Borno state, the Catholic Church confirmed.

According to Bishop John Bogna Bakeni of Maiduguri, the priest was en route from Mubi to Maiduguri for a church workshop when his convoy came under attack. The ambush occurred near a military checkpoint, an area often targeted by extremist groups.

Ambush at Checkpoint Turns Deadly

The group of travelers was waiting for military clearance when they were attacked. Militants reportedly launched a rocket-propelled grenade, which struck one of the vehicles in the convoy. The explosion killed one person and injured several others, according to Bishop Bakeni.

It remains unclear whether Rev. Afina was specifically targeted in the attack. “There were many travelers caught in the ambush,” the bishop explained. “He may have just been one of the unfortunate ones in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Brief Contact After Kidnapping

Bishop Bakeni revealed that he managed to speak with Rev. Afina by phone the day after the kidnapping. Although the conversation was brief, the priest sounded “OK and in good spirits,” despite being physically exhausted after what was likely a forced trek through remote terrain.

While it is confirmed that other travelers were also abducted during the attack, the exact number remains unknown. Nigerian authorities have not yet issued a public statement or responded to inquiries about the incident.

Confirmation from Boko Haram

Rev. Robert Fath, vicar general of the Diocese of Fairbanks, Alaska, confirmed that he received a direct call from Boko Haram militants informing him of Afina’s abduction. The call added a chilling confirmation of the group’s involvement, underlining the persistent threat they pose in the region.

Afina had served in the Fairbanks Diocese from 2017 until 2024. He then returned to Nigeria to work with the Catholic Church’s Justice, Development and Peace Commission—a group focused on social justice, human rights, and humanitarian work.

Nigeria’s Worsening Security Crisis

The abduction of Rev. Afina underscores the growing insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in the northern and central regions. Armed groups, including Boko Haram, have been responsible for a wave of violence that includes mass killings, village raids, and frequent kidnappings for ransom.

Religious figures have increasingly become targets. In March, another priest was kidnapped and killed in central Nigeria by unknown gunmen, highlighting the vulnerability of clerics and humanitarian workers in conflict zones.

Despite promises by Nigerian authorities to combat the violence, progress remains slow. Security operations have failed to dismantle Boko Haram or the multiple bandit groups that continue to terrorize rural communities.

Boko Haram’s Ongoing Campaign of Violence

Boko Haram began its insurgency in 2009 with the aim of overthrowing the Nigerian state and imposing a strict interpretation of Islamic law. The group initially focused on opposing Western education—its name loosely translates to “Western education is forbidden.”

Over the years, Boko Haram’s campaign has expanded into neighboring countries like Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. According to United Nations estimates, the conflict has killed approximately 35,000 civilians and displaced more than 2 million people.

Despite internal divisions within the group and pressure from military forces, Boko Haram remains a potent threat in Nigeria’s northeast.

Hope Amid Crisis

While Rev. Afina’s current condition remains uncertain, the Catholic community in Nigeria and abroad remains hopeful for his safe return. His abduction is another painful reminder of the risks facing those who serve in conflict zones.

With the international community watching, there is growing pressure on Nigerian authorities to secure the release of the priest and other abductees—and to take stronger action to bring an end to the ongoing violence.