Catholic Bishop Hails DSS, Army Over Rescue of Kidnapped Priest, 10 Others from Boko Haram

The Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese, John Bakeni, has praised the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army for the successful rescue of Reverend Father Alphonsus Afina, who was abducted by Boko Haram insurgents on June 1.

Father Afina was kidnapped along the Liman Kara–Gwoza road in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, alongside several other passengers. His abduction attracted global attention due to his previous service as a Catholic priest in Alaska from 2017 to 2024.

On Monday, DSS operatives, with the support of Nigerian Army troops, rescued Father Afina along with 10 women—all freed without any ransom payment. Bishop Bakeni, who also serves as the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno State, commended the security agencies for their bravery, coordination, and intelligence-led efforts that ensured the safe return of the victims.

Bishop Bakeni shared that Father Afina was traveling from Mubi, Adamawa State, to Maiduguri when his convoy was attacked near a military checkpoint. A rocket-propelled grenade struck one of the vehicles, resulting in the death of an occupant and leading to the priest’s abduction.

The global Catholic community has since expressed immense relief and joy over Father Afina’s release, following nearly two months in captivity.

In a related development, DSS operatives in Zamfara State, also in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, rescued 32 kidnap victims in Shinkafi Local Government Area. Security sources confirmed that the freed individuals included 27 women and five boys, who had spent between two and four months in captivity. They have since been handed over to the state government for medical attention and proper documentation.