Rev. Bobbo Paschal was held captive for two months.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna, in a statement reported by Nigerian media and the Fides Catholic news agency, announced the release of Bobbo Paschal on January 17. Father Paschal had been kidnapped by an Islamist Fulani militia from his rectory in Kushe Gugdu on November 17, 2025.
Christian Solidarity International (CSI) had reported on the abduction of Father Paschal in an attack in which the brother of another priest, Anthony Yero, was killed.
The statement by the chancellor of the archdiocese, Christian Okewu Emmanuel, said Paschal was released “from the hands of his kidnappers today, 17 January 2026,” after two months in captivity. “The safe return of Rev. Fr. Paschal shows the power of prayer and working together,” the chancellor said.
Church requests prayer for those in captivity
The archdiocese thanked “the security agencies for their tireless efforts, and all people of goodwill for their prayers, support, and solidarity throughout this period of anxiety and uncertainty.” The statement did not say if any ransom was paid.
The Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, “assured the faithful of his fraternal closeness and urged them to remain steadfast in faith, while continuing to pray for all those still held in captivity across the country,” his chancellor said.
Kidnappings and killings of pastors by Islamists have become endemic in Nigeria. According to a report by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, between 2015 and 2025, at least 212 Catholic priests were kidnapped.
In 2025, at least 15 members of the clergy were abducted for ransom in Nigeria, according to CSI estimates, some of whom were killed or are still in captivity.
