Bandits have kidnapped Bitiyock Dominic Yahaya, the younger brother of Sir Dominic Gambo Yahaya, the Paramount Chief of Kataf, in a late-night raid on Magamiya village in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Southern Kaduna.
The attack occurred around 11 p.m. on Wednesday, according to local sources.
Witnesses said gunmen opened fire sporadically before seizing Bitiyock from his home and fleeing into the night. An internal church message issued by the Kafanchan Catholic Diocese later confirmed the abduction and appealed for prayers for his safe and swift release. Bitiyock is also known to serve as a church leader within the diocese.
The incident comes just days after a separate attack on Kushe Gugdu village in Kagarko LGA, where bandits stormed St. Stephen Parish, abducted the priest—Rev. Fr. Bobbo Paschal—and killed the brother of Rev. Fr. Anthony Yero.
The Kaduna Catholic Archdiocese publicly called on believers and people of goodwill to pray for the victims and demand urgent government action.
Human rights group Amnesty International has also weighed in on the growing insecurity in Kaduna State. In a statement on November 17, the organisation urged Nigerian authorities to act decisively to rescue at least 12 people—including a pastor from the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA)—who were abducted in a November 11 attack in Gidan Waya, Lere LGA. Amnesty said the raid, which claimed four lives, reflects a persistent pattern of violence and lack of meaningful government response.
