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| Seminarian burn to death in Kaduna, Nigeria |
In a harrowing incident that unfolded at approximately 8 p.m. in the serene town of Fadan Kamantan, located in the southern region of Kaduna state, under the jurisdiction of the Kafanchan Diocese, a group of assailants targeted the rectory of St. Raphael’s Catholic Church. In an unfortunate turn of events, their efforts to kidnap the parish priest were thwarted, leading them to resort to a gruesome act. This horrific incident, as reported by news outlet ACI Africa, was recounted in an interview with Bishop Julius Yakubu Kundi of Kafanchan, who collaborated with the charity Aid to the Church in Need.
The intended victim of this sinister plot, the Rev. Emmanuel Okolo, managed to escape the clutches of the attackers along with his assistant. However, the rectory was set ablaze in an act of retaliation. Tragically, this blaze claimed the life of a seminary student, Na’aman Danlami, aged 25, as reported by Bishop Kundi.
Danlami, who was enrolled as a student in the seminary, found himself ensnared in the merciless flames, succumbing to asphyxiation and severe burns. It is with heavy hearts that we pray for the eternal rest of this young martyr, who lost his life in such a horrifying manner.
The Rev. Williams Kaura Abba, an area priest who had the privilege of teaching Danlami at the St. Albert Institute, reached out for support and solace. In a heartfelt text message to Morning Star News, Abba beseeched for prayers, saying, “The bandits went for a kidnapping spree. Two priests in the burnt house were able to escape. The seminarian was trapped. The bandits set the rectory ablaze. Na'aman Danlami, the seminarian, died of asphyxiation and suffered severe burns. May God rest the soul of this martyr.”
Local resident Andrew Timothy shared the somber news that Danlami's remains were transported to a mortuary, marking the end of a promising life cut short by an act of violence that shocked the community.
In the wake of this tragedy, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter, represented by the Rev. John Hayab, expressed profound concern over the lack of security in the region. Hayab lamented, “It is sad that killings and this type of evil against Christians are still going on in spite of our appeal and pleading to the Nigerian government to take measures towards ending these attacks.”
This tragic incident is another grim reminder of the ongoing violence and persecution faced by Christians in Nigeria. In 2022, four Catholic priests lost their lives, and a staggering 28 were kidnapped. The horrors have continued into this year, with 14 Catholic clergymen falling victim to abductions, according to reports from Aid to the Church in Need.
Nigeria garnered a sobering distinction in 2022, leading the world in the number of Christians who lost their lives for their faith, totaling a heartbreaking 5,014 individuals, according to Open Doors’ 2023 World Watch List (WWL) report. Additionally, the country witnessed the highest number of Christians subjected to abduction, sexual assault, harassment, forced marriages, and physical or mental abuse. Furthermore, it recorded the most attacks on homes and businesses based on faith-related reasons. The nation also retained its position as the second-most affected by church attacks and internal displacement for faith-related reasons.
In the latest edition of the World Watch List, which ranks the countries where it is most challenging to be a Christian, Nigeria surged to sixth place, marking its highest ranking to date, up from seventh place in the previous year. The report highlights the relentless attacks by militants from groups like the Fulani, Boko Haram, and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Christian communities. These attacks involve killings, maiming, rape, and kidnapping for ransom or sexual slavery. Shockingly, this violence has spilled over into the Christian-majority regions of the country.
The WWL report underscores a concerning trend—the Nigerian government's reluctance to acknowledge these incidents as religious persecution, resulting in violations of Christians’ rights with impunity.
In a country where millions of predominantly Muslim Fulani people reside across Nigeria and the Sahel, it's essential to note that the majority do not subscribe to extremist views. However, a faction within this group has embraced radical Islamist ideologies, as highlighted in a 2020 report by the United Kingdom’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG). These radical elements employ tactics similar to those of Boko Haram and ISWAP, targeting Christians and symbols of Christian identity.
Christian leaders in Nigeria have voiced their belief that the attacks by herdsmen on Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt are driven by their desire to forcibly acquire Christian-owned lands and impose Islam. These actions have been exacerbated by desertification, which has made it increasingly challenging for them to sustain their herds.
In closing, the tragic loss of Na’aman Danlami serves as a painful reminder of the enduring challenges faced by Christians in Nigeria. His untimely death underscores the urgent need for action to address the violence and persecution that continues to plague the Christian community in this region.
