A Catholic priest and 10 women held captive by Boko Haram insurgents for nearly two months have been rescued in a joint operation by Nigerian security forces, sparking relief among religious communities and underscoring ongoing efforts to address kidnapping crises in the region. Reverend Father Alphonsus Afina, whose abduction drew international attention due to his prior service as a priest in Alaska, U.S., was freed alongside the group on Monday by operatives from Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) with support from army troops in Borno State.
The rescue followed a June 1 ambush on the Liman Kara-Gwoza road in Borno’s Gwoza Local Government Area, where insurgents attacked a convoy transporting Afina from Mubi, Adamawa State, to Maiduguri. A rocket-propelled grenade struck one vehicle, killing a passenger before the priest and an unspecified number of travelers were seized. Details of the operation remain undisclosed, but officials confirmed all 11 survivors emerged unharmed.
Bishop John Bakeni of the Maiduguri Diocese, who also chairs the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno, praised the security agencies for their “successful and timely intervention.” He noted the global Catholic community had closely followed the case, particularly given Afina’s eight-year tenure in Alaska ending in 2024. “This outcome renews our hope that peace is achievable, even in areas scarred by prolonged conflict,” Bakeni stated.
The incident highlights persistent security challenges in northeastern Nigeria, where Boko Haram and its offshoots have carried out kidnappings, bombings, and raids for over a decade. In a separate operation last week, DSS agents and soldiers rescued 32 abductees in Zamfara State’s Shinkafi LGA, a hotspot for bandit activity. Authorities have not confirmed whether the same militant group was involved in both cases.
While celebrating the rescues, analysts caution that systemic issues—including porous borders, under-resourced security forces, and socio-economic disparities—continue to fuel instability. The Nigerian military has intensified counterinsurgency operations in recent months, but critics argue broader strategies addressing root causes are needed to ensure lasting security. For now, the safe return of Afina and others offers a rare moment of respite for communities long gripped by violence.
