Nigeria: Concern for the Abduction of Teachers, Students, and Children in Schools in in Oyo State

"Let us pray for the release of the hostages kidnapped from the schools in Ogbomoso," appealed Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo of Oyo State in southwestern Nigeria, bordering… Read more »

Nigeria: Over 100 Dead, 98,000 Displaced, 217 Churches Destroyed in the Diocese of Wukari

"Since September, over 98,000 people, including 16 priests, have been displaced due to the ongoing violence in the southern part of Taraba State (in northeastern Nigeria), while… Read more »

Chad: Civilians Killed in Chadian Air Strikes Against Suspected Jihadists

Aircraft belonging to the Chadian armed forces attacked Nigerian Boko Haram jihadists on the shores of Lake Chad, resulting in civilian casualties. Read more »

Nigeria: 'In This Marian Month, Pray for the Release of Father Asukawaye and His Ten Parishioners Kidnapped in February'

"I ask everyone to pray for the release of Father Nathaniel Asukawaye and ten parishioners who have been held captive since February 7, 2026," said Bishop Julius Yakubu Kundi of… Read more »

Nigeria: 'True Development Is Not Based On GDP, but On the Effective Improvement of Living Conditions'

"The incessant violent attacks and indiscriminate killings occurring throughout the country are inhumane and unjustifiable acts, and a grave affront to the sanctity of life,"… Read more »

Cameroon: Archbishop of Douala Hopes for the Release of Prisoners and a Change of Mentality On the Occasion of Pope Leo Xiv's Visit

May the visit of Pope Leo XIV offer an opportunity to release prisoners held without trial. Archbishop Samuel Kleda of Douala expressed this wish during a press conference on April… Read more »

Nigeria: Bishop of Ondo Calls for the Resignation of the Chief of Staff

"I don't think our government is serious again. I will just say that because if you look at our town here in Akure, Akure is being invaded. These strange people are coming… Read more »

Nigeria: Wukari Cathedral Severely Damaged By Fire Caused By Short Circuit

The fire that severely damaged St. Mary Catholic Cathedral in Wukari on March 4th was an accident. This was announced by the Diocese of Wukari in a statement signed by the… Read more »

Nigeria: Nine Children Kidnapped From a Catholic Church Last Week Have Been Released

The nine children kidnapped last week from the St. John of the Cross mission station in Ojijea Ojije, Utonkon, Benue State, have been released (see Fides, 10/2/2026). The rescued… Read more »

Nigeria: 30 People, Including a Catechist and His Pregnant Wife, Kidnapped in Kaduna State

A catechist, his pregnant wife, and 30 other people were kidnapped in Kadarko, in the Kadarko Local Government Area, Kaduna State, in north-central Nigeria. The catechist serves at… Read more »

Nigeria: Nine Catholics Kidnapped Over the Weekend in Nigeria

Another kidnapping of Christians has occurred in Benue State, north-central Nigeria. On February 6, nine Catholics were forcibly taken away by unidentified assailants. The Diocese… Read more »

Nigeria: Terror, Killings, and Kidnappings Persist. the Pope Appeals to 'Competent Authorities'

"It is with sorrow and concern that I learned of the recent attacks against various communities in Nigeria leading to a heavy loss of life." With these words, Pope Leo XIV drew… Read more »

Nigeria: Worshippers Kidnapped On January 18 in Northern Nigeria Have Been Released

Worshippers who were kidnapped on January 18 from several churches in the Kurmin Wali community in the Kufana district of the Kajuru local government region in Kaduna State,… Read more »

Nigeria: Convent, Catholic Hospital, and Two Protestant Churches Attacked in North-Central Nigeria

Several towns in the Agwara Local Government Area (LGA) in Niger State, in north-central Nigeria, have been the target of armed attacks. According to a statement from the Diocese… Read more »

Nigeria: Bishop of Sokoto - 'Every Day There Are Massacres in Nigeria: How Can Such a Country Move Forward?'

"There is no other country where 10 people are killed on Monday, 50 on Tuesday, 100 on Wednesday, and it continues every week. How can such a country move forward?" asked Msgr.… Read more »

Niger: Attack On Niamey Airport, Where There Are a Thousand Tons of Uranium

On the night of January 28-29, Diori Hamani Airport in Niamey was attacked. According to local sources, heavy gunfire erupted around midnight at the airport after an unidentified… Read more »

Nigeria: Authorities in Kaduna State Deny the Kidnapping of More Than 100 Faithful From Several Christian Churches

"The news is completely false; we have no evidence of any such attack," said Sule Shuaibu, Commissioner for Internal Security in Kaduna State, refuting to the press the reports of… Read more »

Nigeria: Father Bobbo Paschal Released After Two Months in the Hands of His Kidnappers

After two months in prison, Father Bobbo Paschal, parish priest of St. Stephen's Parish Church in the Kushe Gudgu Kagarko Local Government Area (LGA), of Kaduna State (northern… Read more »

Nigeria: The Last 130 Children From the Catholic School in Papiri Have Been Freed

The 130 students who had been held hostage in the attack on St. Mary's Catholic School in Papiri (Niger State, north-central Nigeria) on November 21 (see Fides, November 24 and 26,… Read more »

Africa: Failed Coup Attempt Highlights Divisions in West Africa

The failed coup attempt in Benin highlights the divisions among the countries of West Africa. On the night of December 7-8, some members of the National Guard attacked the… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Forum On Social Cohesion in Ivory Coast - Being Peacemakers in Everyday Life

"Peace (Shalom) is holistic and means harmony with oneself, with others, with one's surroundings, and with God," said Father Michel Savadogo, Executive Director of the Shalom… Read more »

Cameroon: The Priest Abducted By Separatists On November 15 Is Free

Father John Berinyuy Tatah, parish priest in Babessi, who was abducted on November 15 along with his vicar in southwestern Cameroon, has been freed. Read more »

Nigeria: Bishop Tombura Yambio On Advent - 'Hope for a Land That Cries, Hope for a Church That Arises'

"Advent is not just about candles and prayers, but also a spiritual rebuilding of our diocese and our nation. Let us prepare our hearts, our communities, our parishes. Let us… Read more »

Nigeria: 'No Genocide Against Christians in Nigeria,' Catholic Archbishop Says

There is no genocide against Christians in Nigeria. This was affirmed by Archbishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto in northern Nigeria in his address to the 46th Supreme Assembly… Read more »

Nigeria: Still No News of the Kidnappings At St. Mary's School - the Bishops Say 'The Situation Is Truly Worrisome but It Is Not Genocide'

"Unfortunately, there is no new information about the fate of the hostages," Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna of Kontagora told Fides. In his diocese, 315 students and staff members of… Read more »