By Arnold Neliba
KADUNA, SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 (CISA)-While confirming the death of 25 year old Seminarian Na’aman Danlami, Bishop Julius Kundi of Kafanchan has described the attack at St Raphael’s Parish in Fadan Kamantan in Kaduna State as a “terrible loss”.
“The attackers were aiming to kidnap the parish priest. When they failed in their attempt to enter the father’s house, they set it on fire. The two priests were able to escape but, terribly, the seminarian was burned inside,” bishop Kundi commented on the happenings on September 7.
According to reports, the incident took place about 8pm when Fulani bandits attacked and set fire to the rectory of the parish. Bishops Kundi has blamed security forces nearby for failing to respond to the attack.
“The assault lasted more than an hour, but there was no reaction or support from the military forces. A kilometre away there is a checkpoint, but there was a total absence of reaction,” he said.
The seminarian is the second from the diocese to have been killed in terrorist attacks orchestrated by the Fulani after Fr John Mark Cheitnum, director of communications of the Diocese of Kafanchan, was kidnapped and brutally murdered.
Another seminarian, Ezequiel Nuhu, who was in to Southern Kaduna for holiday with his family was abducted in Kaduna, along with his father.
The Church in Nigeria continuous to suffer from attacks on members of the clergy characterised by kidnappings and murder. In 2022 four priests were killed and 28 kidnapped. In 2023 the number of those kidnapped has reached 14.
