The Old Seminarians Association of Nigeria (OSAN) has expressed deep concern over the increasing abduction of Catholic priests across the country, describing members of the clergy as “soft targets” for kidnappers.
President of the Association and Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Chinedu Francis Akubueze, raised the alarm at the opening of the 4th Annual Convention of OSAN, held in Abuja on Friday. The event, themed “Insecurity: Navigating the Complexities of Nation Building,” brought together members to deliberate on Nigeria’s worsening security situation.
Akubueze lamented that many Catholic priests have fallen victim to kidnappers in recent times, forcing the Church to pay huge ransom sums to secure their release. He noted that the clergy, many of whom are old seminarians, have become “endangered species” due to the perception that the Church is wealthy.
“The clergy among us are increasingly becoming endangered species. Quite a number of them 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,” Akubueze said.
While commending the Nigerian Army for apprehending the killers of Rev. Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu and rescuing Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, Akubueze stressed that “more needs to be done” to address the root causes of insecurity and prevent future tragedies.
He called on the government to prioritize the safety and security of all citizens, regardless of faith or profession, and urged the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) to take a stronger stand against attacks on clergy and worship centres.
“We gather today with heavy hearts to deliberate on the worsening insecurity in Nigeria, particularly the incessant kidnappings of Catholic priests,” he said. “The Church appears helpless in this excruciating situation, while government efforts have yet to yield the desired results.”
Akubueze added that the convention would feature presentations by scholars and security experts to propose proactive solutions to the crisis. He reaffirmed OSAN’s commitment to promoting unity, moral discipline, and social responsibility — values instilled during seminary training — and urged members to use their platforms to advocate peace, security, and good governance.
