The number of persons killed by terrorists in Kaduna State has risen to eight, including two Nigerian Army personnel, as the whereabouts of a Catholic priest abducted alongside others remain unknown.

It was also confirmed that two of those initially believed to have been abducted escaped from their captors and have since returned home safely.

In a statement issued on Monday evening by the Kafanchan Catholic Archdiocese, it was recalled that Rev. Father Nathaniel Asuwaye was abducted on February 7, 2026, at about 3:20 a.m., alongside several other persons, while three people were initially reported killed during the attack.

However, the Chancellor of the Kafanchan Catholic Archdiocese, Rev. Father Jacob Shanet, clarified the situation in a subsequent memo following a detailed assessment and headcount of families in Karku community, Kauru Local Government Area.

“By this memo, I wish to inform the public that, following a thorough assessment and headcount of the various members of families in the Karku community, Kauru Local Government Area, new data emerged yesterday (08/02/2026),” Shanet stated.According to him, it was confirmed that a total of nine persons were abducted — Rev. Father Nathaniel Asuwaye and eight others.

He explained that earlier reports of more abductees were due to confusion, as some individuals believed to have been kidnapped later returned home after narrowly escaping the attack.

Shanet further disclosed that the latest information as of 8:18 p.m. (WAT) on February 8 provided the names of those abducted as: Sadau Usaini, Unkoko Sadauki, Marcy Mazuga, Amos Elisha, Lovina Lot, Inchiye Ba’ba, Nicolas Yakubu, Monday Musa, and Rev. Father Nathaniel Asuwaye.He also confirmed that eight persons were killed during the attack, including two Nigerian Army officers who lost their lives while defending civilians.

The identities of the slain soldiers were withheld.The civilians killed were identified as Jacob Dan’azumi (Mai’wazi), Maitala Kaura, Alhaji Kusari Luka, Boy Binawa, Sake Gaidan, and Haruna Alhaji Alli.Efforts to reach the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, for comments were unsuccessful, as his phone line was switched off at the time of filing this report.