Maiduguri, Nigeria — The Nigerian Catholic community has been thrown into uncertainty following the abduction of Reverend Alphonsus Afina, a Catholic priest, during a violent ambush by suspected Boko Haram militants in Borno State.
The incident occurred on June 1, 2025, when Reverend Afina was traveling in a convoy from Mubi to Maiduguri for a workshop. Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers, armed with sophisticated weapons including rocket-propelled grenades, opened fire on the convoy, leaving one person dead and several others injured. Multiple individuals, including the priest, were taken captive.
Confirming the incident, Bishop John Bogna Bakeni of the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri described Reverend Afina as “exhausted but mentally stable” in the last known communication. Boko Haram has since claimed responsibility for the abduction through a call to a U.S.-based church contact familiar with Reverend Afina’s previous mission work in Alaska.
This kidnapping underscores the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram in Nigeria’s northeast, where religious figures and civilians alike remain prime targets despite ongoing military operations aimed at neutralizing insurgent activity.
Catholic leaders across the country have called for urgent action by security agencies to secure the safe release of Reverend Afina and other victims. The incident has also reignited conversations on the vulnerability of clergy and religious institutions in regions plagued by extremist violence.
As prayers continue for Reverend Afina’s safety, religious organizations and human rights groups are urging authorities to intensify efforts to protect faith leaders and restore peace in Nigeria’s conflict-torn northeast.
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