DSS, Army rescue US-based cleric abducted by boko haram

 Torchlight news.


DSS, Army Rescue US-Based Cleric Abducted by Boko Haram


The Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese, John Bakeni, has praised 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 terrorists on June 1, 2025.

Father Afina, who served as a priest in Alaska, USA, from 2017 to 2024, was kidnapped in Gwoza, Borno State, along with several other travelers on the Liman Kara–Gwoza road.

On Monday, DSS operatives, backed by Nigerian Army troops, rescued Father Afina along with 10 women. Bishop Bakeni, who also chairs the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno State, expressed gratitude to the security forces for rescuing the victims without harm.

The Bishop noted that the global Catholic community was relieved and overjoyed at the news of Father Afina’s release after nearly two months in captivity. He explained that the cleric was en route from Mubi in Adamawa State to Maiduguri when their convoy was ambushed at a military checkpoint. A rocket-propelled grenade hit one of the vehicles, killing one passenger.

In a separate operation, DSS agents in Zamfara State, with army support, also rescued 32 kidnapped victims last week in Shinkafi Local Government Area.

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