“Faith Restored! Priest Freed In Joint DSS-Army Raid, Bishop Declares Act ‘God-Sent'”

The Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese, Most Rev. John Bakeni, has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army for their joint operation that led to the rescue of Reverend Father Alphonsus Afina, who was abducted by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State on June 1, 2025.

According to IREPORTER ONLINE, Fr. Afina—formerly a missionary in the Diocese of Fairbanks, Alaska—was kidnapped while travelling along the Limankara–Gwoza road. The ambush, reportedly launched with a rocket-propelled grenade, struck a vehicle in the convoy, killing one person and leaving several others abducted.

In an official statement, the DSS confirmed the successful rescue of Fr. Afina and ten women during a coordinated operation in Borno State, with critical ground support from the Nigerian Army.

According to IREPORTER ONLINE, no ransom was paid for the release of the victims, further highlighting the strategic precision of the operation.

Reacting to the development, Bishop Bakeni—who also chairs the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno—expressed gratitude, describing the rescue as a moment of immense joy for the global Catholic community, “the professionalism and courage shown by the DSS and our military forces are commendable,” he said.

According to IREPORTER ONLINE, in a separate but related operation, DSS operatives in Zamfara State, with army support, freed 32 hostages held by suspected bandits in Shinkafi Local Government Area.

Among the rescued were 27 women and five young boys who had spent between two to four months in captivity. The victims have since been handed over to Zamfara State authorities for medical evaluation and documentation.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”