Bandits kidnap Catholic church leader and Monarch’s brother in southern Kaduna

Sahara Reporters has reported that Bitiyock Dominic Yahaya, the younger sibling of the Paramount Chief of Atyap (Kataf), Sir Dominic Gambo Yahaya, was abducted by gunmen during a late-night raid on the village of Magamiya in Southern Kaduna.

The incident occurred around 11 PM on Wednesday in the Zangon Kataf Local Government Area. The attackers reportedly fired shots at random before taking Yahaya from his home and escaping to an unknown location.

A source from the community confirmed the event, and an internal church message has called for prayers for Bitiyock’s safe return. He is recognized as a leader within the Kafanchan Catholic Diocese.

Sahara Reporters pointed out that this abduction follows a recent incident in Southern Kaduna where a Catholic priest and several residents were kidnapped, resulting in one casualty.

According to the Kaduna Catholic Archdiocese, gunmen attacked St. Stephen Parish in Kushe Gugdu village in Kagarko LGA, where they abducted Rev. Fr. Bobbo Paschal, the parish priest.

The Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Christian Okewu Emmanuel, confirmed the attack and noted that others were also taken, while the brother of Rev. Fr. Anthony Yero was killed. He requested prayers for the safe return of the victims and for the soul of the deceased.

Additionally, Sahara Reporters has previously reported on a statement from Amnesty International urging Nigerian authorities to urgently rescue 12 individuals, including a pastor from the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), who were abducted during another attack in Gidan Waya, Lere LGA.

Amnesty International indicated that four people were killed in this assault, highlighting a continued trend of insecurity and inadequate government response in northern Nigeria.