Tension has gripped Kaduna State following the brazen abduction of a prominent Catholic priest from his residence. Reverend Father Emmanuel Ezema was kidnapped by armed men in the latest incident highlighting Nigeria's persistent security crisis.
Details of the Abduction
The Catholic Diocese of Zaria confirmed the distressing news in an official statement on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. According to the diocese, the attack occurred at the priest's parish residence located within the premises of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Rumi, Kaduna State.
The assailants struck late in the night on Tuesday, December 2, around 11:30 p.m., seizing Fr. Ezema from his home. The statement, signed by the diocese chancellor, Isek Augustine, urgently called upon all people of goodwill to pray for the priest's swift and safe release, along with that of other captives.
Public Outcry and Reactions
The abduction has sparked significant concern and debate on social media platforms, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). Users expressed a mix of anguish, fear, and frustration over the targeted kidnapping of religious figures.
One user, @ireland_acn, pleaded for prayers to secure Fr. Ezema's release and for a change of heart in his captors. Another, @dahwatchman, pointed to a perceived pattern, noting the frequent abduction of pastors compared to imams and labeling it a tactic to destabilize Christian communities. User @healing_gift described the event as heartbreaking and indicative of escalating persecution against Christians in Nigeria.
Broader Context of Insecurity
This incident is not isolated. It adds to a surge of violence and kidnappings plaguing Africa's most populous nation. What were once sporadic attacks have transformed into a sustained campaign of abductions, village raids, and highway banditry.
This pattern exposes critical weaknesses in the nation's security framework. Across multiple states, citizens live in constant fear, altering travel routes, abandoning farmlands, and adjusting their daily lives due to the threat of violence. Security forces, despite their efforts, often appear overstretched and reactive, struggling to contain attackers who strike and vanish into remote areas.
The abduction of Fr. Ezema follows other high-profile kidnappings, including the recent seizure of a traditional ruler, the Ojibara of Bayagan, Oba Kamilu Salami, from his farm in Kwara State. These events collectively paint a grim picture of the security challenges facing communities and institutions across Nigeria.
