By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
The Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese, Most Rev. John Bakeni, has praised the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army for successfully rescuing Reverend Father Alphonsus Afina and others from Boko Haram captivity.
Father Afina was abducted on June 1 alongside several travelers along the Liman Kara-Gwoza road in Borno State. The attack occurred as they traveled from Mubi, Adamawa, to Maiduguri, with one person killed by a rocket-propelled grenade.
After nearly two months in captivity, Father Afina—who previously served as a missionary in Alaska between 2017 and 2024—was freed along with 10 women on Monday in Borno by DSS operatives supported by Army troops. Authorities confirmed no ransom was paid.
Bishop Bakeni, who is also the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno, expressed deep gratitude, lauding the bravery and professionalism of the security forces. He added that the global Catholic community rejoiced at the priest’s safe return.
In a related operation, DSS and military personnel in Zamfara State rescued 32 kidnap victims last week in Shinkafi LGA. Among them were 27 women and five boys, some held for up to four months. The freed victims were handed over to the state government for medical care and rehabilitation.
