Church Cries Out Over Persecution, Records 1,287 Deaths, 28 Burnt Churches in Years of Attacks
Our Correspondent
The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Kaduna State, northwest Nigeria, says it has lost 1,287 lives and 28 churches to terrorist and bandit attacks over the years, describing its community as “a church of wounded shepherd and wounded flock” on a journey of faith and hope.
The figures were released in a communiqué issued at the end of the Diocese’s 4th General Assembly held from June 22-24, 2026, at the New Diocesan Secretariat, Madakiya.
The communiqué signed by Most Rev. Julius Yakubu Kundi, Bishop of Kafanchan, and Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Jacob Shanet, Chancellor, with the theme “Journey of Faith, Community in Hope: Seeking for Justice and Peace Amidst Persecution,” said the violence has left deep psychological, emotional and economic scars.
The Assembly stated that records from the Justice Development and Peace Commission, JDPC, of the Diocese showed that a total of 501 persons were injured, 3,506 homes destroyed, and farmlands and other means of livelihood valued at ₦5.5 billion were shattered.
It added that the Diocese also documented 928 kidnappings, with 171 victims killed, including 2 priests, 1 seminarian and 2 catechists, while ransom payments by families amounted to over ₦2.4 billion.
“We noted with great concern the devastation that this persecution brought upon us,” the communiqué stated, adding that displacement from ancestral lands and repeated massacres remain the biggest challenge to the Church’s existence and mission.
The Diocese called on the government to urgently rehabilitate and compensate surviving victims to enable them to rebuild and resettle peacefully.
It stressed that wholesome healing must include justice for victims, dead or alive.
“We condemn as unjust the act of rehabilitating and forgiving bandits and terrorists without the consent of their victims,” the Diocese said.
“The victims need more care and attention in the area of trauma management, compensation to rebuild and resettle peacefully.”
It also demanded that the government bring an end to the spate of violence in Southern Kaduna communities.
The Diocese urged Catholics and Christians to actively participate in politics through party membership, contesting for office, and holding elected officials accountable.
“The human person is a political being. Catholics and indeed Christians cannot shy away from active, conscientious and committed involvement in all aspects of politics,” it stated.
It condemned political violence and intimidation during elections, urging believers to unite and vote for candidates they believe can serve them better “without any intimidation,” noting that “God is glorified if they participate actively and sanitize the political system.”
The Diocese decried the failure of Nigeria’s education system in addressing the moral and emotional needs of young people, linking it to rising drug abuse and cybercrime.
“Academics not guided by morals have led many of our Nigerian youths into social vices,” it said.
The Church further called on government, religious bodies and private school owners to adopt integrated curricula that connect academics with character formation, critical thinking, civic responsibility and peacebuilding.
It advocated partnership with the government to revitalize education so that young people can reject violence and become bridge builders.
Despite the losses, the Diocese expressed gratitude to God for 30 years of existence since its creation in 1995.
“From 34 indigenous priests and a few parishes then, it now has 191 indigenous priests, a Diocesan Institute of Female Religious, 83 parishes and many institutions.
“We are grateful to God for the gift of faith on the soil of Kafanchan Diocese and abundant blessings upon us,” it said, paying tribute to missionaries, especially the Society for African Missions, SMA.
It, however, pledged to intensify healing, reconciliation, peacebuilding and interreligious dialogue, praying “for the emergence of a new Nigeria where justice and peace will reign.”
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