Pope Leo XIV has renewed his appeal for prayer and solidarity with the people of Nigeria following a devastating series of attacks that have left scores dead and many more abducted, underscoring the ongoing insecurity faced by communities across the country.
Speaking after the Sunday Angelus, Pope Leo XIV said he received news of the violence with “sorrow and concern,” referring to attacks that have struck multiple regions in recent days. According to Vatican News, at least 160 people were killed on February 3 in the village of Woro, located in Nigeria’s central-west region.
“I express my prayerful closeness to all the victims of violence and terrorism,” the Pope said, adding that he hopes “the competent Authorities will continue to work with determination to ensure the safety and protection of the life of every citizen,” according to the Vatican News report.
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The violence has not been limited to one area. In Kaduna State, a predominantly Christian region, armed attacks over several days resulted in at least six deaths and the abduction of 51 people, according to Nigerian security sources cited by AFP. The report also notes that more than 180 people were abducted in the same region in January, though many were released in recent days.
One of the most alarming incidents targeted a Catholic community in Karku, within the Kajuru local government area. Armed attackers abducted 11 people, including a Catholic priest, and killed three others during a nighttime raid. The Catholic Archdiocese of Kafanchan confirmed that Father Nathaniel Asuwaye, parish priest of Holy Trinity Church in Karku, was taken from his residence around 3 a.m. Witnesses described the assault as “an invasion by a group of terrorists,” according to the archdiocese’s statement cited by Vatican News.
In response to the escalating violence—linked to jihadist groups such as Boko Haram as well as armed criminal gangs—the federal government of Nigeria has deployed an army battalion to the Kaiama district on the orders of President Bola Tinubu, according to the same report.
During the Angelus, Pope Leo XIV also extended prayers beyond Nigeria, remembering victims of human trafficking and those affected by floods and landslides in Spain, Morocco, Portugal, and Sicily, highlighting the Church’s concern for suffering people worldwide.
For Catholics, the Pope’s appeal serves as a renewed call to prayer for peace, the protection of innocent life, and perseverance for communities facing violence and fear, especially where faith itself has become a target.
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