These are the data reported by the Bishops’ Conference in Nigeria on the kidnappings and killings of priests in the African country.

The scourge of kidnappings of priests and religious in Nigeria is part of a broader phenomenon of kidnappings that target, among others, foreigners, businessmen, politicians, government officials, diplomats, and traditional rulers, but also ordinary citizens including students and schoolchildren.

Northern Nigeria is the area where the kidnapping problem has long been linked to the presence of terrorist groups, beginning with Boko Haram.