The Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese, Most Rev. John Bakeni, has commended 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, who had served as a priest in Alaska from September 2017 to 2024, was kidnapped near Gwoza in Borno State while travelling along the Liman Kara–Gwoza road.
He was in the company of several others when their convoy was attacked. Reports indicated that a rocket-propelled grenade hit one of the vehicles, killing an occupant, before insurgents abducted Father Afina and an unspecified number of fellow travellers.
On Monday, DSS operatives, supported by Nigerian Army troops, successfully rescued Father Afina and 10 women in Borno State. All victims were rescued unhurt, and no ransom was paid, security officials confirmed.
Bishop Bakeni, who also serves as the Borno State chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, praised the bravery and intelligence of the security agents.
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He noted that the Catholic community around the world was overjoyed to learn of Father Afina’s safe return after nearly two harrowing months in captivity.
In a related operation, DSS officers in Zamfara State, also backed by Nigerian Army troops, rescued 32 kidnapped persons in Shinkafi Local Government Area.
The victims—comprising 27 women and five boys—had been in captivity for periods ranging from two to four months.
Security sources said the rescued individuals have since been handed over to the Zamfara State Government for medical attention and documentation.
Father Afina was immediately taken into medical care following his rescue and is said to be in stable condition.
Church officials revealed he had undergone significant psychological trauma during his time in captivity but is receiving support from both medical personnel and the Church’s trauma recovery team.
The DSS noted that intelligence gathering, community cooperation, and inter-agency coordination were instrumental in the success of both rescue operations.
Crediblenewsng.com
