After 51 long days praying for a priest in captivity, the Catholic community in Nigeria — and far beyond — rejoices at the news of Fr. Alphonsus Afina’s safe return. A priest of the Diocese of Maiduguri, Fr. Afina was abducted on June 1, 2025, by armed militants.
He was not alone. Ten women, also held hostage, were freed alongside him — a rare and hopeful turn in a region where kidnappings have become tragically common.
Speaking to ACN, Bishop John Bakeni, Auxiliary Bishop of Maiduguri, described the moment of Fr. Afina’s release with deep emotion and reverence: “To the glory of God, Fr. Afina was released yesterday along with ten women at about 4 p.m. We were able to have him in custody, and he was handed over to us around 11:30 p.m.”
While visibly tired and physically weakened, Fr. Afina is reportedly in stable health. Church leaders are now ensuring he receives proper medical care and the comfort of being reunited with his family — especially his mother. “He looks a bit frail and tired,” Bishop Bakeni told ACN, “but I think he is in good health and emotionally stable.”
The safe return of Fr. Afina and the ten women is being hailed as a miracle — one attributed to prayer, international solidarity, and, as Bishop Bakeni noted, “the intercession of Our Lady.” In a country where such stories often end in silence or tragedy, this outcome stands out as an extraordinary grace.
Northern Nigeria continues to suffer from extremist violence, with priests and laypeople alike vulnerable to abductions. These attacks aim not only to extort, but also to destabilize communities and crush hope. The region has seen schools, parishes, and families torn apart by fear. Yet in the midst of this, the Church endures.
Fr. Afina’s return highlights the enduring mission of ACN, which has provided the Diocese of Maiduguri with vital pastoral support, trauma healing programs, and funds for rebuilding churches and communities. Their work serves not just to sustain the Church under pressure, but to restore dignity and peace to those who suffer.
This event is a reminder that even in the darkest corners of violence and unrest, faith can endure. And when people across the world join in prayer and action, new chapters of hope can begin. As Bishop Bakeni prepares to reunite Fr. Afina with his family, the Church in Nigeria — and Catholics everywhere — gives thanks.
