Nigeria: Pope Leo XIV calls for end to violence

Pope Leo XIV has called for an end to violence in Nigeria, as he addressed crowds at the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square on February 8th, as reported by Africa News and agencies on the same day.

His call for peace came a day after it was reported that gunmen in north-western Nigeria had killed three people and abducted 11 others, including a Catholic priest.

The Kaduna Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan said the priest’s residence was attacked by armed men, and has asked for prayers for the victims and for the safe return of the hostages.

Addressing the crowd, Pope Leo said, “It is with sorrow and concern that I learned of the recent attacks against various communities in Nigeria leading to a heavy loss of life.”

He added, “I express my prayerful closeness to all victims of violence and terrorism. I hope that the authorities will continue to work with determination to ensure the safety and protection of every citizen.”

It is currently unclear if a jihadist group like Boko Haram is responsible for the February 7th attack; however, Nigerian Christians have previously been kidnapped by Islamist fighters.

Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State in Western Province (ISWAP), are affiliated with the Islamic State and aim to destabilise the government and establish an Islamic Caliphate in Nigeria, which would be governed by Sharia Law.

Although the Nigerian government has blamed kidnappings on jihadists, some analysts have disputed these claims, alleging that criminal gangs are responsible for attacks in north-west and central Nigeria, while jihadist groups are primarily active in the north-east.

Nigeria’s north-eastern Borno State has been an epicentre for jihadist violence since Boko Haram’s founding in 2009, with thousands being forced to flee to neighbouring Cameroon as militants have seized towns and villages, effectively turning them into militarised zones.

The situation has deteriorated further since 2016, when ISWAP broke away from Boko Haram following leadership disputes. In April 2025, 26 people were killed in an ISWAP-sponsored bombing near the Nigeria-Cameroon border.

In January 2025, a suspected Islamist militant attack near the Nigeria-Niger border killed 20 Nigerian soldiers; Boko Haram and ISWAP have been known to target security forces and civilians in their attacks.

Additionally, Boko Haram’s influence extends beyond Nigeria, with the group’s operations expanding into neighbouring countries, such as Chad, Cameroon and Niger.

Africa News and agencies, Maghrebi.org