• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
    • Government
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
    • ICPC Secures Conviction of Rector for Running Unaccredited Degree Programmes

      Engr Abba Babagana Dalori

      Engr Dalori Forfeits Galaxy Hospital, Petrol Station, Properties & Cash

      Chinese nationals jailed in Lagos

      Court Jails Nine Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos

      ASUU

      Tackle Corruption, Institutional Decay – ASUU Charges FG

      EFCC Arraigns Bauchi Accountant General Over N8bn Fraud as Court Sentences…

  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
    • Trade Facilitation: Nigeria Customs, NACCIMA Strengthen Partnership

      Economic Confidential to Host 3rd Public Lecture, Unveil Books on Nigeria’s…

      Luanda Summit: AUDA-NEPAD Taps AI, Green Bonds as it Launches Marketplace…

      Tinubu Jets to Brazil After Japan Summit, Eyes Trade, Security Deals

      Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR), hosted the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji,

      Customs and the “National Single Window” Project

  • National
    • NRC Suspends Abuja-Kaduna Train Services After Derailment

      Fellow Bashir Chedi

      NIPR Mourns Council Member Chedi, Hails His Dedication to PR Ideals

      Fellow Bashir Chedi

      NIPR Council Member, Bashir Chedi, Dies at 65

      Pantami Foundation Launches Free Phone Repair and AI Training for Nigerian…

      NDLEA Logo

      Drug Kingpin, 5 Others Arrested as NDLEA Moves to Clear Innocent…

    • Government
      • Pantami Foundation Launches Free Phone Repair and AI Training for Nigerian…

        Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa CDS

        African Security: Nigeria Leads from the Front By Edward Gabkwet

        Late Mama Lydia Yilwatda

        Senator Shehu Buba Condoles with APC National Chairman over Mother’s Death

        CG Custom Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and Zacch Adedeji

        Is Zacch Adedeji Building Bridges for Nigeria’s Revenue Future? By Yushau…

        ACF

        Arewa Consultative Forum Engages Influencers to Amplify Northern Identity

  • Security
    • NRC Suspends Abuja-Kaduna Train Services After Derailment

      reunited 128 rescued victims of bandit captivity with their families in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State

      NSA Cautions Against Politising Insecurity as 128 Hostages Reunites with Families

      Mohammed Idris Malagi, Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation

      FG Flags Off Restoration of Voice of Nigeria’s 250KW Superpower Transmitter

      Maj-Gen. Adamu Laka. image. Google

      Violent Extremism: FG Set to Unveil New Counter Terrorism Strategy

      Nigerian Police Force

      IPI Condemns Police Harassment of ThisDay Journalist Azuka Ogujiuba

  • Features
    • Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa CDS

      African Security: Nigeria Leads from the Front By Edward Gabkwet

      CG Custom Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and Zacch Adedeji

      Is Zacch Adedeji Building Bridges for Nigeria’s Revenue Future? By Yushau…

      Army soldiers security

      Mattress of Terror: Can Nigeria Ever Be Truly Secure? By Haroon…

      The Arrest of Ansaru Kingpins Mahmud Muhammad Usman aka Abu Bara’a, and Mahmud al-Nigeri aka Mallam Mamuda

      Ribadu and the fall of Ansaru By Senator Iroegbu

      Fixing the Fault Lines in Nigeria’s Culture of Recognition, By Mukhtar…

  • State
    • Nigerian Police Force

      IPI Condemns Police Harassment of ThisDay Journalist Azuka Ogujiuba

      DG BPSR, Cross River Delegation..

      C/River Partners BPSR, W/Bank on Governance Reforms, Development Agenda

      Fake Major License

      Army Hands Over Fake Major to Police in Lagos

      NDLEA Logo

      Drug Kingpin, 5 Others Arrested as NDLEA Moves to Clear Innocent…

      Military Troops in Action

      Troops Repel Bandits Attack in Katsina, Rescue Abductees in Kogi

  • Event
    • Economic Confidential to Host 3rd Public Lecture, Unveil Books on Nigeria’s…

      President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

      His Death is a National Loss, Tinubu Mourns Emir of Zuru

      Umar Lauya

      Umar Lauya Declares Candidacy for NYCN Presidency, Vows to Unite and…

      The Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Sugar Department Council (NSDC), Mr. Kamar Bakrin (L), with the CEO of Legacy Sugar Company, Alh. Abubakar Isa Musa (R), during the signing ceremony.

      NSDC, New Operators Seal Landmark Development Agreements, to Produce 400,000MT of…

      Regional Vice President Western and Central Africa at the World Bank, Mr Ousmane Diagana pays a courtesy visit to Baze University

      World Bank Vice President visits Baze University, Commends Educational Standards, Assures…

    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Home National DSS, Army Rescue Abducted Catholic Priest, 42 Others in Joint Operation
  • National
  • Security

DSS, Army Rescue Abducted Catholic Priest, 42 Others in Joint Operation

By
Prnigeria
-
July 22, 2025
Department of State Security Service DSS
Department of State Security Service DSS

DSS, Army Rescue Abducted Catholic Priest, 42 Others in Joint Operation

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), in collaboration with troops of the Nigerian Army, have successfully rescued Reverend Father Alphonsus Afina and 42 other kidnap victims from Boko Haram captivity.

Father Afina, along with 10 women, was freed on Monday during a joint operation in Borno State. The daring rescue followed weeks of intelligence gathering and strategic coordination between security forces.

The Catholic priest was abducted on June 1 along the Limankara–Gwoza Road in Gwoza local government area of Borno State. He was travelling from Mubi in Adamawa State to Maiduguri when his convoy came under attack. A rocket-propelled grenade struck one of the vehicles, killing an occupant and resulting in the abduction of the priest and several others.

Reverend Afina’s kidnapping sparked international concern, particularly within the global Catholic community. He had served as a missionary priest in Alaska, United States, from 2017 until earlier this year.

Read Also:

  • NRC Suspends Abuja-Kaduna Train Services After Derailment
  • NIPR Mourns Council Member Chedi, Hails His Dedication to PR Ideals
  • NSA Cautions Against Politising Insecurity as 128 Hostages Reunites with Families

Reacting to the development, Bishop John Bakeni of the Maiduguri Diocese—who also serves as the Borno State chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)—commended the DSS and Army for their bravery and precision. He confirmed that the priest and the other rescued victims were freed without any ransom payment.

“The Catholic community around the world is relieved and overjoyed at the news of Father Afina’s safe return after nearly two months in captivity,” the Bishop stated.

In a separate operation in Zamfara State, DSS personnel—again with military support—rescued another 32 kidnap victims in Shinkafi Local Government Area. Among them were 27 women and five young boys who had spent between two to four months in the hands of their abductors.

Security sources confirmed that all rescued individuals have been handed over to the state government for medical attention and documentation.

These successful operations underscore ongoing efforts by Nigeria’s security agencies to dismantle terrorist and kidnap networks across the country.

By PRNigeria

VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
  • TAGS
  • Abductions
  • army
  • Borno
  • Catholic
  • dss
  • zamfara
Previous articleRegional Ministry Boosts Accountability with New Performance System
Next articleAnambra Police Arrest Two Over Fake Kidnap, N3m Ransom Scam
Prnigeria
Prnigeria

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

NRC Suspends Abuja-Kaduna Train Services After Derailment

Fellow Bashir Chedi

NIPR Mourns Council Member Chedi, Hails His Dedication to PR Ideals

reunited 128 rescued victims of bandit captivity with their families in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State

NSA Cautions Against Politising Insecurity as 128 Hostages Reunites with Families

Mohammed Idris Malagi, Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation

FG Flags Off Restoration of Voice of Nigeria’s 250KW Superpower Transmitter

Fellow Bashir Chedi

NIPR Council Member, Bashir Chedi, Dies at 65

Maj-Gen. Adamu Laka. image. Google

Violent Extremism: FG Set to Unveil New Counter Terrorism Strategy

Nigerian Police Force

IPI Condemns Police Harassment of ThisDay Journalist Azuka Ogujiuba

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and his Brazilian counterpart, José Múcio Monteiro Filho, in Brasília

Nigeria, Brazil Deepen Defence Cooperation in Maritime Security, Industry

Pantami Foundation Launches Free Phone Repair and AI Training for Nigerian Youth

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu at Africa Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit, in Abuja

Tinubu Proposes Permanent Forum for African Defence Chiefs

Group photograph of VP Kashim Shettima, CDS General Musa, Minister Bello Matewale and Africa Chief of Defence Staff.

ECOWAS to Deploy 260,000-Man Counter-Terrorism Force, Pledges $2.5bn Annual Funding

Customs, CDCFIB Forge Partnership to Boost National Security

Recent Posts

  • NRC Suspends Abuja-Kaduna Train Services After Derailment
  • NIPR Mourns Council Member Chedi, Hails His Dedication to PR Ideals
  • NSA Cautions Against Politising Insecurity as 128 Hostages Reunites with Families
  • FG Flags Off Restoration of Voice of Nigeria’s 250KW Superpower Transmitter
  • NIPR Council Member, Bashir Chedi, Dies at 65
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
NRC Suspends Abuja-Kaduna Train Services After DerailmentNIPR Mourns Council Member Chedi, Hails His Dedication to PR IdealsNSA Cautions Against Politising Insecurity as 128 Hostages Reunites with FamiliesFG Flags Off Restoration of Voice of Nigeria's 250KW Superpower TransmitterNIPR Council Member, Bashir Chedi, Dies at 65Violent Extremism: FG Set to Unveil New Counter Terrorism StrategyIPI Condemns Police Harassment of ThisDay Journalist Azuka OgujiubaC/River Partners BPSR, W/Bank on Governance Reforms, Development AgendaNigeria, Brazil Deepen Defence Cooperation in Maritime Security, IndustryPantami Foundation Launches Free Phone Repair and AI Training for Nigerian YouthTinubu Proposes Permanent Forum for African Defence ChiefsECOWAS to Deploy 260,000-Man Counter-Terrorism Force, Pledges $2.5bn Annual FundingCustoms, CDCFIB Forge Partnership to Boost National SecurityGeneral Musa Rallies African Defence Chiefs to Build Homegrown Security SolutionsArmy Hands Over Fake Major to Police in Lagos
X whatsapp