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 »

Nigeria: New Mass Kidnappings in Kwara State

Mass kidnappings in Nigeria continue unabated. Late in the afternoon of November 24, a group of at least 20 armed men attacked the village of Isapa in the Ekiti district of Kwara… Read more »

Cameroon: Vatican - Leo Xiv - 'Great Pain' and 'Deeply Saddened' to Learn of the Kidnapping of Priests, Faithful, and Students in Nigeria and Cameroon

"I was deeply saddened to learn of the kidnapping of priests, faithful, and students in Nigeria and Cameroon. I feel great pain, above all for the many young men and women who have… Read more »

Nigeria: 265 Pupils Kidnapped From St. Mary's School Are Still in the Hands of Kidnappers - Bishop Tells Fides - 'This Is the Work of Criminals'

"The kidnappers are almost certainly criminals seeking illicit gain by demanding a ransom for the release of the young people they have captured," Msgr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna of… Read more »

Cameroon: The Archbishop of Bamenda - 'If Father John Is Not Released By November 26, the Churches in the Deanery Will Be Closed'

"If by November 26, the captors have not released Father John, I request all the priests, religious personnel from all Catholic institutions in Ndop deanery will be closed. Priests… Read more »

Nigeria: 'Father Paschal Is Alive' - Archdiocese of Kaduna Denies Rumors of the Murder of the Priest Kidnapped On November 17

"It is not true that Father Bobbo Paschal was killed," reads a statement from the Archdiocese of Kaduna, sent to Fides, refuting rumors circulating on various social media… Read more »

Ghana: Dozens Dead in Illegal Mine. Bishops Propose State of Emergency to Combat the Phenomenon

Three illegal miners have died of asphyxiation after being trapped in a tunnel in Ghana. The three men were part of a group of "galamseyers" (a term that refers both to the illegal… Read more »

Nigeria: Catholic Priest Kidnapped in Kaduna State.

Another Catholic priest has been kidnapped in Nigeria. Father Bobbo Paschal, parish priest of St. Stephen's Parish Church in the Kushe Gudgu Kagarko Local Government Area (LGA) of… Read more »

Nigeria: Several Schoolgirls Kidnapped in Attack On School in Northeastern Nigeria

An unknown number of girls were kidnapped by armed men who attacked a girls' school in northwestern Nigeria overnight. The gang members attacked the Maga Government Girls'… Read more »

Nigeria: Seminarian Dies At the Hands of Kidnappers, Another Freed

One of the three seminarians, aged 15 to 16, who were kidnapped on July 10 in an attack on the Minor Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Ivianokpodi, in the Diocese of Auchi,… Read more »

Mali: Fuel War Spreads to the Capital Bamako

"This morning at dawn, a convoy of 1,000 fuel tankers, escorted by the army, was greeted by a cheering crowd in Bamako," local sources told Fides, describing the situation in the… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: More Than 8 Million Voters Called to Elect the President

More than 8.7 million voters in Ivory Coast are called to vote tomorrow, October 25, to elect a new president. A total of five candidates are running. Controversy has arisen over… Read more »

Sierra Leone: Illegal Drugs Are a National Problem

A major international drug trafficker has found refuge in the country, diplomats from Sierra Leone suspected of collaborating with traffickers, and the spread of drugs among young… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Resignation and Appointment of Bishop of Abengourou

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Abengourou, Côte d'Ivoire, presented by Bishop Boniface Ziri Gbaya. Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Appointment of Bishop of SAN Pedro-En-Côte d'Ivoire

The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Youlo Alexis Touabli as bishop of the diocese of San Pedro-en-Côte d'Ivoire, Côte d'Ivoire, transferring him from the see of… Read more »

Sierra Leone: Food, Drinking Water, Medical Care, and Psychosocial Support for a Group of 220 Juvenile Prisoners

Supporting the most vulnerable juvenile prisoners on their path to social rehabilitation and reducing the risk of recidivism after serving their sentences - this is the goal of the… Read more »

Burkina Faso: Tensions With Burkina Faso Rise After Attack On a Border Village and Kidnapping of Six Ivorian Officials

Who attacked the village of Difita in the far north of Ivory Coast on the night of August 24-25? This is the question facing the West African country, where tensions with… Read more »

Nigeria: Bandits Attack in Katsina State - a Catholic Church and a Mosque Attacked Within Days

"The people of Katsina State deserve to live in security, not fear," said Farouk Lawal Jobe, acting governor of Katsina, in an appeal to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu. He called… Read more »

Ghana: President of the Supreme Court Suspended - Bishops Concerned

"The suspension of the President of the Supreme Court is a matter of great national importance." This is how the Ghanaian Bishops' Conference (CBC) has expressed its concern… Read more »