Bandits Abduct Catholic Church Leader, Monarch’s Brother In Southern Kaduna Raid

Bandits have kidnapped a man, Bitiyock Dominic Yahaya, who is the younger brother of the Paramount Chief of Kataf, Sir Dominic Gambo Yahaya, during a late night attack on Magamiya village in Southern Kaduna.

SaharaReporters learnt that the incident occurred around 11pm on Wednesday in the Zangon Kataf Local Government Area.

The assailants, who shot sporadically, seized the victim from his residence and fled to an unknown destination.

A local source confirmed the attack to SaharaReporters even as the kidnapping was further corroborated by an internal church message appealing for prayers for Bitiyock’s safety and swift release.

The abducted individual is also known as a church leader within the Kafanchan Catholic Diocese.

SaharaReporters had days ago reported that bandits attacked the Southern Kaduna region of Kaduna State resulting in the abduction of a Catholic priest and several community members, and the death of one person.

The Kaduna Catholic Archdiocese had stated that the assailants targeted Kushe Gugdu village in the Kagarko Local Government Area, storming St. Stephen Parish and abducting the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Bobbo Paschal.

In a notice to its priests, signed by the Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Christian Okewu Emmanuel, the Archdiocese had confirmed the incident: “I write to inform you of the attack on Kushe Gugdu and the abduction of one of our priests, Rev. Fr. Bobo Pascal, Parish Priest of St Stephen Parish… from his residence during the early hours of today, Monday, 17th of November, 2025.”

Regarding the casualty and other abductions, the Chancellor had added, “During the attack, many others were abducted, and the brother of Rev. Fr. Anthony Yero was killed.

“We call on all men and women of goodwill to join us in praying for their safety and quick release from the hands of their abductors, and for the peaceful repose of the dead. Amen.”

SaharaReporters earlier reported that global human rights body, the Amnesty International, asked the Nigerian authorities to take immediate and decisive action to secure the safe rescue of 12 people, including a pastor of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), abducted by terrorists during a recent attack on Gidan Waya, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The global human rights advocacy organisation, which made the demand in a statement issued on Monday, November 17, on its X (formerly Twitter) account, also confirmed that four people were killed during the attack.

Amnesty International condemned the attack, which occurred on Tuesday, November 11, describing it as the continuation of a longstanding pattern of insecurity and government inaction in northern Nigeria. (SaharaReporters)