A popular catholic priest in Nigeria has been abducted at gunpoint on his way to a prayer ministry. 

Fr Basil Gbuzuo who is known locally as 'Man Pass Man' was captured along Eke Nkpor in Ogidi, Idemili North in the South-Central part of the country. 

So far, his kidnappers have not contacted his church with any ransom demands according to a statement by the Onitsha Archdiocese. Fr Basil is the fourth cleric to be captured in five months. 

A statement signed by the chancellor of the Diocese, Fr Prudentious Aroh said he was Priest-in- Residence at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish in Ogidi and was taken about 8am on 15th May.

The Chancellor wrote: “We commend our brother to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his kidnappers.”

Three other hostages taken earlier in the year– two Claretian missionaries and a parish priest from Benin City Archdiocese – have already been released. Though three other priests kidnapped in the country – one in 2019 and two in 2022 – are still missing.

Aid to the Church in Need, a catholic charity which supports persecuted and suffering Christians worldwide, has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Fr Basil and has demanded the government step up security and protection of Christians in the African nation.

Nigeria is widely considered to be one of the worst countries in the world to be a Christian. There are almost 103 million Christians in Nigeria, almost half the country’s population of 222 million. 

The north of the country is Muslim-majority and where most persecution of Christians happens, though it has also spread to the south.Christians are terrorised by Islamic militants and armed ‘bandits’ – particularly in the north and central regions of the country. 

According to persecution watchdog Open Doors, attacks are brutal including abductions for ransom, sexual violence and death with more believers killed for their faith in Nigeria than anywhere else in the world.