April 26
Burkina Faso: Catechist Murdered in the East of the Country
The catechist Edouard Zoetyenga Yougbare was kidnapped and killed near Saatenga, in the diocese of Fada N'Gourma, in eastern Burkina Faso. According to a diocesan priest quoted by… Read more »
April 16
Togo: Situation Tense After Vote in Parliament
The situation in Togo remains tense. Opposition parties have joined forces to protest against the new Constitution adopted by the National Assembly on March 25, the text of which… Read more »
March 12
Nigeria: Mass Kidnappings Widespread - a Criminal and Political Phenomenon Rather Than 'Religious'
The Safe Schools Initiative, a Nigerian organization founded after the kidnapping of 276 students from a secondary school in Chibok in 2014 (the fate of 100 of them is still… Read more »
March 11
Chad: Opposition Crackdown Continues Ahead of Election
In N'Djamena, capital of Chad, where arrests took place during the night, the situation appears to be calm during the day, despite ongoing tensions. "During the day the situation… Read more »
January 05
Cameroon: The Unknown Plague of Kidnappings in Northern Cameroon
Farmers, breeders, merchants and humanitarian workers. These are the preferred victims of kidnappings in northern Cameroon, where a true kidnapping economy has developed. Victims… Read more »
September 07, 2023
Ethiopia: Conflicts Continue in the Tigray Region - Demonstrations and Arrests On the Eve of the Ethiopian New Year
Some members of the opposition were arrested in Tigray on the eve of a demonstration scheduled for today, 7 September 2023, in Mekele, against the Tigray People Liberation Front… Read more »
May 15, 2023
Kenya: President William Ruto Has Apologised to Kenya Over the Shakohola Massacre
In the country which is shocked by the massacre in the Shakahola forest (see Fides, 3/5/2023), requests are multiplying to regulate not so much freedom of worship as the compliance… Read more »
May 04, 2023
Kenya: Investigation Into Shakahola Forest Massacre Widens as Calls for Greater Control of Sects Continue
Another "telepreacher" has also been put under investigation for the massacre of more than 100 followers of the Kenyan sect "Good News International Church", found dead in the… Read more »
December 21, 2022
Nigeria: Another Priest Kidnapped in Nigeria.
Another priest kidnapped in Nigeria. Fr Sylvester Okechukwu, of the diocese of Kafanchan, in the state of Kaduna, in the central north of the country, was kidnapped yesterday,… Read more »
December 20, 2022
Nigeria: Diocese of Umuahia - Catholic Priest Kidnapped
Another Catholic priest has been kidnapped in Nigeria, Father Christopher Ogide, associate Pastor at Maria Assumpta Parish of Umuopara, diocese of Umuahia, in the state of Abia, in… Read more »
December 14, 2022
Nigeria: Six Months After the Massacre of the Saint-François-Xavier Church in Owo, Questions Are Being Asked About Who Committed It
More than six months after the June 5 massacre at St. Francis Xavier Church in Owo, Ondo State (see Fides, 6/6/2022), Nigerians are waiting for the holding a trial against those… Read more »
November 25, 2022
Nigeria: Priest Kidnapped Together With a Group of Faithful, Another Priest Released
Father Peter Abang Ochang, parish priest of the St. Stephen Roman Catholic Mission (RCM) church in the diocese of Ogoja, in the state of Cross River, has been kidnapped in a still… Read more »
October 07, 2022
Nigeria: Remaining 23 Hostages of the Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack Released After More Than 6 Months
The remaining 23 people who were still held by the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28 have been released (see Fides, 30/3/2022). This was stated by Nigerian… Read more »
September 22, 2022
Cameroon: Kidnapped Catholics - 'We Don't Want to Create Dangerous Precedents - We Do Not Pay the Requested Ransom'
"We will not pay a dime" to the kidnappers of the nine worshippers taken from St. Mary's Catholic Church, in the village of Nchang (see Fides, 19/6/2022) in the Anglophone area of… Read more »
September 21, 2022
Nigeria: Military Assault on Eke Ututu Market Risks Alienating Population - Bishop of Orlu
"Stop further killing of innocent people and destruction of livelihoods". This is the appeal launched by Msgr. Augustine Tochukwu Ukwuoma, Bishop of Orlu, in Imo State, in southern… Read more »
September 20, 2022
Cameroon: A Ransom Has Been Requested for the 9 People Kidnapped From the Church of Saint Mary
The kidnapping of nine people in the attack on the church of Saint Mary, in the village of Nchang (see Fides, 19/9/2022) has been revealed a kidnapping for ransom. Msgr. Andrew… Read more »
September 17, 2022
Egypt: The Case of Little Shenuda Reopens the Debate On the Law Regarding the Personal Status of Christians
The controversial case of an abandoned child entrusted to a Coptic Christian family reopens the debate in Egypt on the draft law related to the personal status of Christians and… Read more »
September 07, 2022
Mozambique: Italian Comboni Nun Killed in Attack on a Mission in the City of Chipene
A Comboni nun was killed in the attack in a mission in the city of Chipene in the province of Nampula in northern Mozambique, which took place on the night between September 6 and… Read more »
September 01, 2022
Burkina Faso: After Being Held Hostage for Five Months, American Nun Released
"Sister Suellen is safe. She is on American soil, but not in America", confirms Sister Mary Lacour of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary of the Holy Cross on the release of… Read more »
August 24, 2022
Nigeria: 'Unconditional Release' of the 4 Nigerian Nuns Kidnapped On Sunday
"With hearts full of joy the sisters of Jesus the Saviour wish to announce the unconditional and safe release of four of our sisters, who were abducted around Okigwe-Umulolo axis… Read more »
August 22, 2022
Nigeria: Four Nuns Kidnapped in South-East Nigeria
Four nuns of the Sisters of Jesus the Savior have been kidnapped in Nigeria. Read more »
June 07, 2022
Nigeria: Priest Kidnapped Amid Shock Over the Massacre in the Church of Owo
Although it is still not clear who was responsible for the massacre in the church of Saint Francis Xavier in Owo, Ondo State (south-western Nigeria), which took place on Sunday… Read more »
June 02, 2022
Mauritius: Torture By Police Officers Is Inhumane, Says Cardinal
"Together with the population I was horrified by the torture inflicted by members of the police on citizens who were in their custody. That is why it is essential that those guilty… Read more »
May 27, 2022
Burkina Faso: More Than 50 Killed in the East
More than 50 people have been killed near Madjoari, a village in eastern Burkina Faso. The massacre took place on May 25, but it was not known until yesterday, May 26. Read more »
May 25, 2022
Nigeria: Two Priests Kidnapped in Northern Nigeria
Two priests have been kidnapped in northern Nigeria. This is reported by Fr. Christopher Omotosho, Director of Social Communications of the Diocese of Sokoto in a statement: "At… Read more »