Crime

Bandits Kidnap Catholic Church Leader, Monarch’s Brother in Fresh Southern Kaduna Attack

Published by admin on November 21st, 2025.

Bandits Kidnap Catholic Church Leader, Monarch’s Brother in Fresh Southern Kaduna Attack

Bandits

A community leader and prominent member of the Kafanchan Catholic Diocese, Bitiyock Dominic Yahaya, has been abducted by armed bandits during a late-night raid on Magamiya village in Southern Kaduna. Bitiyock is the younger brother of the Paramount Ruler of the Atyap people, Sir Dominic Gambo Yahaya.

The attack occurred around 11 p.m. on Wednesday in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area. According to local sources, the gunmen stormed the community, firing shots into the air before seizing Bitiyock from his home and escaping with him to an unknown location.

His abduction was later confirmed through an internal church message, which urged the faithful to pray for his safety and quick release.

This incident adds to a growing list of recent violent attacks in the region. Earlier in the week, SaharaReporters reported that bandits also invaded Kushe Gugdu in the Kagarko Local Government Area, where they attacked St. Stephen Parish and kidnapped its parish priest, Rev. Fr. Bobbo Paschal.

The Kaduna Catholic Archdiocese, in a notice signed by its Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Christian Okewu Emmanuel, confirmed the kidnapping, noting that the priest was taken from his residence in the early hours of Monday, November 17, 2025. The statement also revealed that several others were abducted during the raid, while the brother of Rev. Fr. Anthony Yero was killed.

The Archdiocese appealed for prayers, asking for divine intervention for the victims’ safe return and the repose of the soul of the deceased.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International has again called on the Nigerian government to act decisively following yet another attack in Kaduna State. The rights organisation reported that 12 people, including an ECWA pastor, were taken by terrorists during an assault on Gidan Waya in Lere Local Government Area. Four residents were reportedly killed during the incident.

In a statement posted on its X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, November 17, Amnesty International condemned the raid, describing it as part of an ongoing pattern of violence and inadequate government response in northern Nigeria.