The auxiliary bishop of Maiduguri in Nigeria, has issued an urgent call for prayers after one of his priests was kidnapped by jihadist terrorists.
Bishop John Bagna Bakeni told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need(ACN) that Father Alphonsus Afina was taken along with others on Sunday 1 June, by militants suspected to belong to the Islamist terrorist groupvBoko Haram/ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province).
Bishop Bakeni said: “Father Alphonsus and two other members of the JDPC [Justice, Development and Peace Commission] were scheduled to attend a workshop which was supposed to begin on Monday in Maiduguri, and were making their way there from Mubi.
“The unfortunate incident happened near Gwoza at about 12:30pm”.
According to the bishop, the travelling party was caught in a crossfire between Nigerian soldiers and the terrorists.
He added: “There were many fatalities and abductions. One member of the JDPC was shot dead. Father Alphonsus was abducted along with others, and one of the staff of the JDPC was able to escape to safety.”
Bishop Bakeni said he was contacted by the terrorists, who provided proof that Father Alphonsus was alive. He expressed his hope that the priest might soon be released.
He’s calling for prayers “for the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri, especially during this difficult and trying moment.
“May Our Lady of Perpetual Help intercede for us and for her son, Father Alphonsus Afina, for his safe return to us.”
Father Alphonsus is the 15th religious minister to be kidnapped in the country since the beginning of the year.
(Photograph shows Bishop Bakeni)