The Old Seminarians Association of Nigeria (OSAN) has raised alarm over the growing spate of abductions targeting Catholic priests across the country, describing clergymen as “soft targets” in Nigeria’s worsening insecurity crisis.
Speaking at the association’s 4th Annual Convention held in Abuja, OSAN President and Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Chinedu Francis Akubueze, lamented that priests have become endangered due to frequent kidnappings and ransom demands.
“The clergy among us, who are also old seminarians, are increasingly becoming endangered species,” Akubueze said. “Several have been kidnapped, and the Church has paid heavy ransoms. They have become attractive targets for kidnappers who wrongly assume that the Church is wealthy.”
While acknowledging recent efforts by security agencies to rescue abducted priests, Akubueze stressed that far more decisive action is needed to end the menace.
“We gather today with heavy hearts to deliberate on the worsening insecurity in Nigeria, particularly the incessant kidnappings of Catholic priests,” he stated. “The Church appears helpless, while government efforts have yet to yield the desired results.”
He called for stronger coordination between religious bodies and the government to ensure the protection of clergy and worship centres nationwide.
Between 2015 and 2025, reports indicate that at least 145 priests have been abducted across Nigeria, 11 killed, and several still missing. Many of the victims were seized in rural areas, where priests often serve as some of the few remaining authority figures within their communities.
Security analysts say kidnappers often target clergy because of the perception that the Church can afford to pay ransom — a belief that has turned priests into lucrative targets for criminal syndicates.
Observers warn that the trend not only endangers lives but also threatens religious freedom, community stability, and the moral authority of the Church in crisis-hit regions.
Akubueze concluded by urging Nigerians to unite in demanding greater accountability and security reforms.
“Let us join forces to build a society where everyone can live without fear,” he said. “We pray for the safety of all kidnapped priests and other victims of abduction.”
