In a brazen assault that has heightened fears over the security situation around Nigeria's capital, armed bandits attacked and stabbed two Catholic priests in the early hours of Tuesday, December 30, 2025. The violent incident occurred at the parish house of St. Rita Catholic Church located in the Unity Estate, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, a community bordering the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Details of the Violent Assault
The attack unfolded at approximately 2:30 a.m. when the armed assailants forcefully gained entry into the clergy residence. According to reports, the invaders targeted two priests residing at the premises. Rev. Fr. Comas Baye, the priest in residence and a Cadet of the Knights of St. John International, and Rev. Fr. Chris Pever, a visiting priest and former Assistant Priest of the parish, were both stabbed during the ordeal.
The attackers fled the scene, leaving the two clerics bleeding within the premises. Notably, the Parish Priest managed to escape the attack unharmed. Following the assault, both injured men were urgently transported to the Nativity Catholic Hospital in Jikwoyi, Abuja, for emergency medical attention.
Medical sources provided details on the severity of their injuries. Rev. Fr. Pever sustained severe wounds, including a fracture to his left arm, which later required a surgical implant procedure. Rev. Fr. Baye was reported to be battling a partial stroke following the traumatic event. Hospital officials confirmed that after treatment, both priests were in stable condition and responding positively to care.
Knights of St. John Condemn Worsening Insecurity
The Abuja Grand Commandery of the Noble Order of the Knights of St. John International issued a strong condemnation of the attack. In a statement jointly signed by Grand President, Brig. Gen. Francis Ulonna Njoku, and Grand Secretary, Col. Etta Peters, the organization described the act as "heinous, barbaric, and reprehensible."
The statement framed the assault as more than an isolated crime, warning that it is part of a broader pattern of attacks targeting places of worship and religious leaders in the Federal Capital Territory and adjoining states. It emphasized that such violence constitutes a grave affront to human life, religious freedom, and the moral fabric of society.
"This vicious assault is not only a direct attack on innocent clergy but also a grave affront to the sanctity of human life, religious institutions, and the moral fabric of our society," the Knights' statement read.
Calls for Urgent Security Response and Regional Anxiety
The Knights called on relevant security agencies to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation, apprehend the perpetrators, and ensure they face the full wrath of the law. The order also urged federal and state authorities to strengthen security measures around religious institutions and vulnerable communities to prevent a recurrence of such attacks.
This violent episode has significantly deepened anxiety among residents living in border communities surrounding Abuja. Despite repeated assurances from security forces, criminal attacks, including banditry and kidnappings, have continued to spread in these areas, eroding public confidence and creating a pervasive sense of fear.
The attack near the nation's capital underscores the persistent security challenges facing Nigeria, even in regions close to its administrative heart. It has sparked renewed calls for a more decisive and effective strategy to combat banditry and ensure the safety of all citizens, irrespective of their location or vocation.
