Niger State Pastor Kidnapped by Bandits, Police Intensify Search

 A Catholic priest, Pastor Sunday Musa, has been abducted by suspected armed bandits in Samunaka, a rural community near Babanna in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. The incident took place at around 4:00 a.m. on Friday, July 11, 2025, when a group of approximately 20 gunmen stormed the village, opened fire to instill panic, and forcibly whisked the cleric away to an undisclosed location .

Security sources report that the Officer-in-Charge of the Babanna Police Outstation promptly raised the alarm, triggering the mobilization of tactical police units and local vigilante groups in the area. These forces have now launched a coordinated pursuit of the attackers into the forested terrain around the Babanna–Borgu axis

In a statement, the Niger State Police Command confirmed the ongoing operation, emphasizing that no ransom demand has been made public, and that efforts are focused on securing Pastor Musa’s safe release without harm. Meanwhile, patrols have been intensified throughout vulnerable neighboring communities to forestall further kidnappings. 

The abduction adds to a concerning pattern of attacks targeting Christian clergy across Nigeria. For instance, on March 1, gunmen abducted a priest and seminarian in Edo State, and earlier in the month, another priest in Kaduna State was abducted and subsequently found murdered. 

Local residents in Samunaka and nearby villages have raised alarms over the rising insecurity in the area and are calling for heightened police visibility and protective measures. The attack has sown fear among the faithful and the broader community, many of whom depend on the priest’s pastoral and social work.

Authorities have pledged to spare no effort in tracking down the kidnappers and ensuring Pastor Musa’s safe return. As of now, his condition and whereabouts remain unknown, intensifying concerns over his welfare. The Niger State Police Command has urged anyone with relevant information to come forward and assist in the rescue efforts.

This incident underscores the urgent need for strengthened security protocols in remote communities and renewed government commitment to safeguarding religious and humanitarian workers across Nigeria.