Rev. Alphonsus Afina by Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks / Facebook
A Nigerian priest who served for years in Alaska has been released after being kidnapped by Boko Haram in early June, according to Church officials in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Father Alphonsus Afina, who ministered across rural Alaska from 2017 to 2024, was abducted by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram June 2 while traveling by car in northern Nigeria.
The Diocese of Fairbanks announced July 21 on Facebook that it has received word that Fr. Afina has been released and is unharmed.
“Praise God!” the diocese stated in announcing the news. “Thank you to all who have been storming heaven for him. Continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who continue to be held captive that, they too, will soon taste freedom.”
Earlier this week, the diocese announced that it received confirmation from Fr. Afina’s home diocese in Maiduguri that he is still alive and in contact with Church officials there, Anchorage Daily News reported July 18.
Father Robert Fath, vicar general of the Diocese of Fairbanks, said the news that he was still alive came through Father Yakudu Aidan, a Nigerian priest who serves in Alaska. Fr. Aidan relayed that friends in the Diocese of Maiduguri had heard directly from Fr. Afina.
“An individual who escaped was able to let us know that he was still alive,” Fr. Fath told Anchorage Daily News July 18. He added that Father Afina “was also able to speak to his diocese again.”
The phone call confirmed earlier reports from the escapee.
Fr. Fath said it is highly unusual for captives of Boko Haram to be permitted any form of contact with the outside world.
“This is … an exceptional, extraordinary circumstance that he’s been able, twice now, to speak to his diocese,” Fath said.
In the days following the abduction, Auxiliary Bishop John Bakeni of the Diocese of Maiduguri had called on the faithful to pray for Fr. Afina’s safety and swift release.
Nigeria continues to rank as the most deadly country in the world for Christians, according to international watchdog groups, with kidnappings and killings of clergy occurring at an alarming rate.
>> Nigerian Church leaders decry ‘silent genocide’ amid relentless massacres, clergy abductions <<
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 4:45pm ET July 22 with the information that Fr. Afina has been released.
