Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists killed one person and kidnapped a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Daniel Afina, alongside nine other travellers during an ambush along the Gwoza-Limankara Road in Borno State.
The abducted cleric, Rev. Afina, the project coordinator of a Christian non-governmental organisation, was returning from Mubi in Adamawa.
Leadership reports that the reverend was travelling in a vehicle with two members of his NGO staff, and the terrorists ambushed their vehicle. During the assault, one staff member was killed. While Rev. Afina was abducted, the second staff member managed to escape.
Alongside the priest’s vehicle, the terrorists also ambushed another vehicle carrying travellers. According to a source in Maiduguri who spoke anonymously, all nine occupants of this second vehicle were abducted. The escaped NGO staff member returned to Maiduguri to report the killings and abductions.
The source further revealed that the terrorists have since made contact using a cellular phone. During this contact, the abducted priest was allowed to speak to his family to confirm his captivity. However, the terrorists did not issue any ransom demand at that time.
A senior official of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno State has confirmed the killing of the NGO staff member and the abduction of Rev. Fr. Afina, along with the nine others. The official pleaded with the government and security agencies to expedite efforts to rescue the priest and the other captives.
