By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
ABUJA (Worthy News) – Christian farmer and evangelist Paul Jongas tells Worthy News that his Christian neighbor has been kidnapped in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, and that he, too, fears for his life.
Luka Gabriel, a married father of three, was abducted outside the gate of the apartment complex late Friday, Jongas says in an interview from Abuja.
“I heard gunshots. Then in the morning, I learned he was kidnapped,” he adds.
While Islamist groups have been active in the northeast, they are increasingly abducting Christians and others in and around Abuja, Worthy News established.
Jongas believes Gabriel, a Christian farmer and electrician, tried to come home after a long day of hard work but was kidnapped “definitely by Islamists.”
He confirms that “we have reported the incident to the police. But as we all know, the police won’t do anything to save him. Only God and maybe family and friends’ contributions can save his life.”
FLEEING FOR ISLAMISTS
Jongas, 54, explains to Worthy News that he is preparing to flee with his wife and three children. “We had the same nightmares.”
He suggests that Islamists are following him and waiting for the right moment to kidnap me. “They keep a close eye on whoever they want to abduct. They monitor your movement before taking action. They are keeping close eyes on me, I know.”
Jongas explains that with his neighbor still missing, “We are awaiting a call from his abductors. Please continue praying for my family.”
It comes amid broader concerns about the security situation in Abuja and surrounding areas. In one of several recent incidents, “well-armed kidnappers” stormed Grow Homes estate in Kubwa – Abuja’s largest suburban town – holding residents hostage for over an hour last month, media reported at the time. The incident came days after a similar reported attack on Efab Global Estate in the Idu Industrial Area of Abuja.
Jongas, who has been working as an evangelist and farmer since age 25, fears Abuja will become as dangerous for Christians as other parts in the country where thousands of Christians are killed and kidnapped annually.
Christian farmers like him have often been targeted by armed Islamic Fulani herdsmen and other radical groups seeking to take over land and establish Sharia, or Islamic, law.
DIPLOMATS CONCERNED
British and U.S. diplomats share his concerns. “Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed gangs. Some areas have increased risk,” the U.S. State Department tells Americans.
Britain’s Foreign Ministry says that the “primary terrorist threat in Nigeria comes from Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) and Boko Haram. These groups are mainly based in north-east Nigeria in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.”
However it acknowledges that since 2021, “there have also been attacks likely associated with terrorist groups” in the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, as well as Borno, Gombe, Niger, Kaduna, Kogi, Bauchi, Ondo, Zamfara, Taraba, Jigawa, Sokoto, Edo and Kano states.
“Attacks could be indiscriminate and could occur at any time, including in places visited by foreign nationals, such as places of worship,” as well as markets
malls, hotels, bars, and restaurants, and other public sites and gatherings, it notes.
Advocacy group Open Doors has ranked Nigeria 7th on its annual World Watch List of 50 nations where it says Christians face the most persecution for their faith.
“The government’s failure to protect Christians and punish perpetrators has only strengthened the militants’ influence,” it warns.
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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