Below is a summary of a recent article published by the Mexican, Catholic News platform, “Press Crux. ” There is a link to the full text below.
The article highlights the severe security crisis affecting the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora in north-central Nigeria, where widespread violence, kidnappings, and attacks by armed groups are disrupting religious life and threatening the survival of rural Christian communities. According to Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, some villages can no longer receive regular Mass because roads have become too dangerous for priests, religious workers, and catechists to travel safely. Many families have been forced to abandon their homes, farms, schools, and churches, creating a risk that entire Christian communities may disappear from their ancestral lands.
A major example of this insecurity was the November 2025 kidnapping of 230 students and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri. Although all hostages were eventually released, the incident left deep emotional trauma among children, parents, and educators. The attack highlighted the vulnerability of schools and rural communities, where limited security presence allows armed groups to operate with relative ease.
The bishop explains that Nigeria’s violence cannot be attributed to a single cause. Criminal kidnapping for ransom, cattle rustling, territorial disputes, poverty, weak state institutions, and sometimes religious tensions all contribute to the crisis. While some Christian communities have been specifically targeted, both Christians and Muslims suffer from kidnappings, killings, and displacement. Bishop Yohanna stresses the importance of interfaith cooperation to prevent criminals from exploiting religious differences.
The insecurity has significantly affected the Church’s pastoral mission. Some parishes and mission stations have been closed temporarily, priests are unable to reach remote communities, and access to sacraments and religious education has been disrupted. Nevertheless, local catechists and lay leaders continue to support the faithful and maintain community prayer despite the challenges.
The bishop argues that biggest problem in relation to the current violence is impunity, with attackers often escaping justice. He calls for stronger security measures, better intelligence gathering, faster intervention, and greater investment in education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. He also emphasizes that security requires more than military action; it requires addressing the underlying social and economic conditions that fuel violence.
Despite these difficulties, the Church continues to provide humanitarian support, including food, shelter, educational assistance, and pastoral care to displaced families. Bishop Yohanna’s final message is a plea for prayer, international solidarity, and support for those affected by the crisis. He insists that the Diocese of Kontagora does not want to be defined by violence but by its commitment to faith, peace, dignity, and hope.
To read the full article click on the link below and then on “translate” for an English version.