The Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese, Most Rev. John Bakeni, has lauded the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army for their role in the successful rescue of Reverend Father Alphonsus Afina from Boko Haram captivity.
Fr. Afina, a Nigerian priest who served in the Archdiocese of Anchorage in Alaska, U.S., from 2017 to 2024, was abducted on June 1, 2025, along the Limankara–Gwoza road in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. He was travelling with a group when their convoy was ambushed by insurgents. A rocket-propelled grenade reportedly struck one of the vehicles during the attack, resulting in the death of a passenger and the abduction of Fr. Afina along with several others.
The DSS confirmed on Monday that the clergyman and 10 women were freed in a joint operation conducted in Borno State with ground support from the Nigerian Army. According to security officials, no ransom was paid for their release.
Reacting to the development, Bishop Bakeni, who also serves as the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno State, expressed deep gratitude and joy over the priest’s safe return.
“We are deeply grateful for the professionalism and bravery displayed by the DSS and the Nigerian Army,” Bakeni said. “The safe return of Father Afina after nearly two months in captivity is a testament to the commitment of our security agencies.”
Bakeni revealed that Fr. Afina was on his way from Mubi in Adamawa State to Maiduguri when insurgents ambushed his convoy near a Military checkpoint.
He called for sustained collaboration between security agencies and communities in the fight against insurgency.
In a related operation last week in Zamfara State, the DSS, working in collaboration with army personnel, rescued 32 hostages from suspected bandits in Shinkafi Local Government Area. Among them were 27 women and five boys, who have spent between two to four months in captivity.
The rescued individuals were later handed over to Zamfara State authorities for medical examination and formal documentation.
