Reverend Father Alphonsus Afina, a Catholic priest previously serving in the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska, has been rescued from Boko Haram captivity by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in collaboration with the Nigerian Army.Details of the Rescue:
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Date of Abduction: June 1, 2025
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Location: Liman Kara–Gwoza Road, Gwoza LGA, Borno State
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Date of Rescue: July 21, 2025
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Rescued Alongside: 10 abducted women
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Method: Intelligence-led joint security operation
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Ransom: None paidBackground:
Fr. Afina was returning from Mubi (Adamawa State) to Maiduguri when insurgents ambushed his convoy near a military checkpoint. The attackers reportedly launched a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) at one of the vehicles, killing a passenger and abducting several others.
Church and Community Reaction:
Most Rev. John Bakeni, Bishop of the Maiduguri Diocese and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno, described the rescue as:
“A moment of profound relief and joy for the Church and all lovers of peace and justice.”
The Bishop praised the gallantry and professionalism of the security forces, urging continued cooperation between communities and security agencies in fighting insurgency.
Broader Security Success in Zamfara:
In a parallel joint operation, the DSS and Nigerian Army also rescued 32 kidnap victims—27 women and 5 boys—from Shinkafi, Zamfara State. These victims had been in captivity for 2–4 months and were recovered from makeshift forest camps.
The freed individuals were handed over to the Zamfara State Government for medical care and proper documentation.
Implications:
These dual rescues reflect:
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Improved inter-agency collaboration
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Renewed commitment to tackling insurgency and banditry
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Growing effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations
What’s Next?
Fr. Afina is reportedly safe and receiving care, with support from the Church and security agencies. His release marks a significant morale boost for Christian communities in the North-East and highlights the ongoing threats still faced by civilians and clergy in conflict zones.
