A Catholic seminary student was burned to death in a failed kidnapping attempt by Fulani terrorists in Nigeria. The attack occurred in the rectory of St. Raphael's Catholic Church, in southern Kaduna state. The bandits set the house on fire when they were unable to enter it, resulting in the tragic death of the seminary student. The incident highlights the ongoing Christian persecution and lack of security in the area.
ABUJA, Nigeria - In another horrifying incident that highlights the ongoing Christian persecution in Nigeria, a Catholic seminary student was burned to death in a failed kidnapping attempt by Fulani terrorists. The attack took place at the rectory of St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Fadan Kamantan, southern Kaduna state.
According to reports, the assailants targeted the home of a parish priest in an attempt to abduct him. However, when they failed to gain entry into the house, they resorted to setting it ablaze. The priest, Reverend Emmanuel Okolo, and his assistant managed to escape, but tragically, a seminary student named Na'aman Danlami, aged 25, lost his life in the fire.
The death of Na'aman Danlami, a young man with aspirations to serve the Catholic Church, has sent shockwaves throughout the community. Father Williams Kaura Abba, who had taught Danlami at the St. Albert Institute, expressed his grief and called for prayers for the young seminarian.
"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," Abba said.
The incident has once again exposed the lack of security in the area and the ongoing violence against Christians. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has lamented the authorities' inability to protect its citizens from these attacks.
"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," said Reverend John Hayab, chairman of the CAN Kaduna State Chapter.
Christian persecution in Nigeria has reached alarming levels. According to Aid to the Church in Need, four Catholic priests were killed in 2022, and 28 were kidnapped. In 2023 alone, 14 Catholic clergymen have been abducted.
Nigeria topped the list of countries with the highest number of Christians killed for their faith in 2022, according to Open Doors' 2023 World Watch List (WWL) report. The country also recorded the highest number of Christians abducted, sexually assaulted or harassed, forcibly married or physically or mentally abused. It witnessed the most attacks on homes and businesses for faith-based reasons.
Fulani militants, Boko Haram, and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are among the extremist groups responsible for the violence against Christians. These terrorists target Christian communities, indulging in killings, maiming, rape, and kidnapping for ransom or sexual slavery. The Nigerian government's denial of religious persecution has allowed these violations to continue with impunity.
The Fulani, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group, have been implicated in attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria's Middle Belt. Some Fulani herdsmen are believed to be motivated by a desire to forcibly take over Christian lands and impose Islam. The desertification of their traditional grazing lands has led to conflict and violence.
As the death toll rises and the attacks persist, it is imperative that the Nigerian government takes immediate and effective action to protect its citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation. The international community must also lend its voice and support to end the violence and ensure the safety and well-being of Nigeria's Christian population.
Source of content: OOO News 2023-09-09 News
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