Nigerian Catholic Priests Now ‘Soft Targets’ for Kidnappers — Seminarians
The Old Seminarians Association of Nigeria (OSAN) has sounded a grave alarm over the escalating wave of abductions targeting Catholic priests across the country, warning that clergy members have become “soft targets” for kidnappers and criminal gangs.
Speaking at the association’s 4th Annual National Convention held in Abuja on Saturday, October 25, under the theme “Insecurity: Navigating the Complexities of Nation-Building,” OSAN’s President and Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Chinedu Francis Akubueze, decried the increasing vulnerability of Catholic priests, lamenting that the Church has paid heavy ransoms to secure their release in recent years.
“The clergy among us, who are also old seminarians, are increasingly becoming endangered species,” Akubueze said in his opening remarks.
“Quite a number of them have been kidnapped, and the Church has paid heavy ransoms. They have become attractive targets for kidnappers who wrongly assume that the Church is wealthy.”
Akubueze noted that while security forces have recorded isolated successes in some rescue operations, the overall situation remains dire and calls for urgent, coordinated intervention. He described the frequency and audacity of these abductions as “a national disgrace that undermines faith, governance, and the sanctity of human life.”
Recent data cited by OSAN paints a disturbing picture: between 2015 and 2025, 145 Catholic priests have been abducted across Nigeria. Out of these, 11 were killed, several remain unaccounted for, and many others were released after huge ransom payments.
The report revealed that the majority of the incidents occurred in the North-Central, North-West, and South-East regions, where kidnappers have exploited weak security infrastructure, porous borders, and ungoverned spaces to operate with near impunity.
In the North-West, priests have been kidnapped along major highways in Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara States, while in the South-East, attackers have increasingly targeted priests traveling between parishes or returning from pastoral visits in Enugu, Anambra, and Imo States.
In Benue, Niger, and Kogi States, Catholic communities have experienced multiple raids in which priests were abducted alongside parishioners, sometimes during mass or at the rectory.
“The Church appears helpless in this excruciating situation, while government efforts have yet to yield the desired results,” Akubueze lamented.
“We cannot continue like this. When priests become victims of the same violence they preach against, the moral fabric of society begins to collapse.”
Priests have long served as moral and social anchors in their communities, providing education, healthcare, and humanitarian assistance in remote areas where government presence is minimal. Their kidnapping, therefore, is not just a personal tragedy but a collective trauma for entire parishes.
In many rural dioceses, priests are among the few literate and visible authority figures. When they are abducted, communities lose not just their spiritual shepherds but also their advocates for justice, education, and peace.
In 2022, for example, two priests, Rev. Fr. Christopher Odia and Fr. Vitus Borogo, were murdered after being kidnapped in Edo and Kaduna States respectively. In 2023, Rev. Fr. Isaac Achi of Niger State was burned alive after gunmen set his rectory ablaze. These high-profile killings, according to OSAN, have sent shockwaves through the Church and worsened the sense of insecurity among priests nationwide.
“We gather today with heavy hearts to deliberate on the worsening insecurity in Nigeria, particularly the incessant kidnappings of Catholic priests,” Akubueze said.
“The Nigerian state must not allow this to become the new normal.”
The association noted that one of the major misconceptions fueling these attacks is the widespread belief among criminal groups that the Catholic Church possesses immense financial resources.
In many kidnapping cases, abductors reportedly assume that dioceses can easily mobilize funds for ransom through donations from congregants or international Catholic networks. This false perception, Akubueze said, has turned priests into high-value targets.
“The wrong assumption that the Church is wealthy has become a death sentence for our priests,” he explained.
“What many don’t realize is that most of these priests live humble lives and depend on modest stipends from their parishes. They are not men of material wealth; they are men of sacrifice.”
He added that this misconception must be challenged through community awareness and stronger collaboration between Church authorities and law enforcement.
Several dioceses have reportedly paid ransom amounts ranging from ₦2 million to ₦20 million, depending on the circumstances of the abduction. While the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has consistently discouraged the payment of ransom, in many instances, local parishes and families feel compelled to negotiate in order to save lives.
These payments, however, have created a dangerous cycle, emboldening kidnappers and making priests even more attractive targets.
A senior priest from the Diocese of Kafanchan, who requested anonymity, described the situation as “psychologically draining.”
“We no longer move freely. When traveling for mass or pastoral work, we send our itinerary to our bishop and our family. Every journey feels like a risk. It’s not about fear—it’s about survival,” he said.
Akubueze commended the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces and police in recent rescue operations, especially the Operation Whirl Stroke in Benue and the Joint Task Force in the North-West, which have led to the arrest of several kidnapping syndicates.
However, he emphasized that these interventions are sporadic and reactive rather than preventive. “The overall situation demands far more action,” he said, urging federal and state authorities to strengthen community policing and intelligence gathering.
Security experts argue that the kidnapping of clergy is symptomatic of Nigeria’s broader governance crisis—marked by poverty, corruption, and weak rule of law.
Dr. Grace Oyediran, a criminologist at the University of Ibadan, explained:
“Kidnappers don’t just choose priests randomly. They know these are moral figures with deep community connections. Abducting a priest draws media attention, increases ransom leverage, and forces rapid negotiation.”
She added that the only long-term solution lies in dismantling criminal networks through sustained surveillance, local collaboration, and technological tracking.
The repeated abductions have deeply shaken the faith of many Nigerian Catholics. Churches in volatile areas now hold shorter evening services, while some priests have relocated to safer urban centers, leaving rural parishes without resident clergy.
“Imagine a community where mass has not been celebrated for weeks because the only priest is in captivity or has fled,” said Rev. Fr. Anthony Eze, a former seminarian and OSAN member. “That’s what is happening in parts of Benue and Taraba today.”
The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) recently issued new security guidelines for parishes, including travel restrictions after dark, the installation of CCTV systems in rectories, and the use of armed escorts for priests serving in high-risk zones.
While these measures offer temporary relief, they also highlight a painful irony: priests—symbols of peace—now need armed protection to preach the gospel.
Beyond lamenting the situation, OSAN used the convention to call for a broader national renewal anchored on moral integrity, civic responsibility, and justice.
“Nigeria cannot prosper when her moral beacons are under siege,” Akubueze declared.
“We must rebuild our values and our security architecture from the ground up. Let us join forces to build a society where everyone can live without fear.”
He appealed for stronger coordination between inter-faith bodies, traditional institutions, and the government to protect worship centers and faith workers across denominations. “This is not just a Catholic issue; it’s a Nigerian issue,” he said.
The targeted abduction of priests, OSAN warned, represents a growing threat to religious freedom and national stability. If clergy are silenced through fear, entire communities lose their voice of conscience.
The association cautioned that the kidnappings could lead to a decline in missionary work, as many young seminarians now reconsider their vocation due to fear of death or abduction.
In a statement adopted at the end of the convention, OSAN urged the government to declare a special protection status for clergy and worship centers, akin to how security is deployed around oil facilities and political figures.
“If our oil wells deserve military protection, surely our priests deserve moral protection,” the communiqué read.
The growing insecurity has drawn global attention. The Vatican, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) have all issued statements condemning the attacks and calling on Nigerian authorities to guarantee the safety of clergy.
Pope Francis, during an address in early 2025, mentioned the plight of Nigerian priests, praying for “our brothers in the vineyard who suffer for the sake of peace.”
Meanwhile, international human rights groups have classified Nigeria among the most dangerous countries in the world for Christian clergy, alongside parts of the Middle East and Central Africa.
In closing, Akubueze called on the government to match rhetoric with results. He urged the National Assembly to pass legislation that criminalizes ransom payments and enhances prosecution of kidnapping offences. He also appealed for a National Clergy Safety Framework, which would institutionalize regular dialogue between the Church, security agencies, and community leaders.
“We are not asking for privilege; we are asking for protection,” he said. “A society that cannot protect its priests cannot protect its people.”
The convention concluded with prayers for abducted priests, a moment of silence for those who lost their lives in captivity, and a renewed commitment to continue speaking out until justice is served.
As Nigeria grapples with rising insecurity on multiple fronts—from insurgency to banditry and political violence—the Church’s cry has become a moral reminder: when men of God become targets, the entire nation must pause and ask itself what has gone wrong.
For now, the clergy’s plea echoes beyond the chapel walls — a solemn appeal for a country to rediscover its soul before it loses its humanity.