DSS, Army Rescue Abducted Catholic Priest, 42 Others

Operatives of Department of State Services (DSS) and troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued Reverend Father Alphonsus Afina, who was kidnapped on June 1, by Boko Haram terrorists as well as 42 other kidnap victims.

Rev. Fr. Afina and 10 women were on Monday rescued by operatives of the DSS in Borno State, with the support of the Nigerian Army troops.

The abduction of the Catholic priest in Gworza, Borno State, had grabbed global headlines, as he had served as a priest in Alaska, United States, from September 2017 through 2024.

He was kidnapped alongside some unspecified number of fellow travelers on the Liman Kara – Gwoza Road in Gwoza local government area of the state.

The Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese, John Bakeni, who doubles as the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno State, commended the gallantry and intelligence of the DSS operatives who rescued the 11 persons unhurt without paying ransom.

According to the Bishop, the Catholic community worldwide was excited at news that Father Afina had regained freedom after nearly two months in the dungeon of terrorists.

The Bishop explained that Father Afina was travelling from Mubi in Adamawa State to Maiduguri, when his vehicle was ambushed at a military checkpoint after a rocket-propelled grenade struck one of the vehicles in his convoy, killing one occupant.

Meanwhile, DSS officers in Zamfara State, also with support from troops of the Nigerian Army, last week rescued 32 kidnap victims in Shinkafi LGA of the state.

Security sources disclosed that the rescued victims included 27 women and five young boys, who have spent between two and four months in captivity.

“They have been handed over to the state government for medicare and documentation,” the source added.