Kidnapped and Murdered Priests Latest in Nigerian Persecution

Nigerian Catholics are in prayer after two priests were kidnapped in Nigeria’s northern Kaduna State, the latest in a recent escalation of clergy abductions.

Fr. John Mark Cheitnum and Fr. Denatus Cleopas of Christ the King Catholic Church were abducted from the parish rectory at approximately 5:45 p.m. on July 15.

“May Jesus, crucified on the Cross, listen to our prayers and hasten the unconditional release of His priests and all other kidnapped persons,” Diocese of Kafanchan Chancellor Fr. Emmanuel Uchechukwu Okolo appealed in a statement shared with the Catholic News Agency as news of the kidnapping was announced. Shortly thereafter on July 19, Father Cleopoas managed an escape; Father Cheitnum was killed.

According to data compiled by the Aid to the Church in Need International (ACN), eighteen priests have been kidnapped in Nigeria in 2022 so far. Of those eighteen, five of the kidnappings occurred in the first week of July alone. Three of the victims were killed, though most were eventually released. Two months ago, the Rev. Fr. Vitus Borogo was killed while working on his farm.

Christians in Nigeria, especially in Islamic-majority regions in the north of the populous west African nation, suffer brutal acts of persecution.

OpenDoorsUK has reported that more Christians are martyred in Nigeria than in any other country. Early in June this year, at least forty Christians were killed by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) at a Catholic church during Pentecost Mass. The ACN has also documented that in the Nigerian state of Benue alone, almost seventy Christians have been killed over the past two months.

“In the last 13 years, roughly 45,000 Christians have been killed,” Edward Clancy of the ACN told IRD, painting a grim picture of the current situation. This equals almost 3,000 killed each year. Perpetrators have been mostly a combination of Boko Haram militants, ISWAP, and radicalized Muslim members of the Fulani tribe.

The Nigerian government’s Muslim majority also presents a problem.

“In a country with Muslim-Christian tensions and where the government is majority Muslim, you can’t get a fair hearing” said Clancy. He also explained that these groups use similar strategies employed by ISIS and others, taking advantage of an unstable political climate to gain power and influence. “As soon as you have a government that is inept or corrupt, you will end up with situations similar to what you see in Nigeria.”

For various reasons, Catholic priests are targeted for kidnapping. Clancy notes that priests have been unwilling to cave to the pressure of radical groups, instead continuing to lead their churches despite the dangers.

“The priests have not stopped doing their work”, Clancy said, making them vital to Christian communities and also high priority targets.

Bishop Jude Arogundade of Ondo concurs; he believes the terrorists target the Catholic Church for strategic reasons. Not only do they instruct their parishioners in morals directly contrary to radical Islam, but due to the Catholic Church’s global influence, any attack on the institution is guaranteed to bring media.

David Otto, director of the Geneva Centre for Africa Security and Strategic Studies, also noted that there is monetary gain to be had: The Catholic Church has been willing to pay ransoms demanded by extremist groups as high as $200,000.

Clancy said that the prospects of financial gain are often used by extremists to recruit young Muslim men desperate to escape poverty.

“You may not live a long life, but at least you will live well,” and have the opportunity to move up in society if you cooperate, Clancy says of kidnappers.

A protest was held by hundreds of Catholic priests at the funeral of a slain priest on July 1. However it is unclear what, if any, action will be taken by the Nigerian government to quell the violence.

Rising tensions between Fulani herdsmen and Christian farmers are compounded by religious conflict and difficulties caused by COVID-19, making the fate of the Christian community in Nigeria seem uncertain. Yet Clancy said the situation looks more hopeful than what is seen on the surface.

“Christians are undaunted,” Clancy said, and they have begun to organize more efficiently to increase their influence. “The Spirit is there and there is a future for Christians in that area,” even if it will take time for it to be seen.