The Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks received news this week that the Rev. Alphonsus Afina is still alive after he was ambushed and abducted by Boko Haram on June 2. Afina served as a priest in Alaska from 2017 to 2024.
The Rev. Robert Fath, the vicar general of the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks, said the news was confirmed by the Rev. Yakudu Aidan, who works in the diocese. Aidan had received word from friends in the Diocese of Maiduguri — Afina’s home diocese — that Afina was still alive, Fath said Friday.
Afina and others had been traveling via car in northern Nigeria when they were ambushed and abducted, Fath has said.
“An individual who escaped was able to let us know that he was still alive,” Fath said. “Then … Father Alphonsus was also able to speak to his diocese again.” Afina’s call to his home diocese confirmed the news from the escapee that Afina was still alive.
Fath explained that he had been told it was quite uncommon to hear from those abducted by Boko Haram. Boko Haram has targeted Christian and Muslim communities with violence against the Nigerian government, with a goal to create an Islamic state, since 2009.
“This is … an exceptional, extraordinary circumstance that he’s been able, twice now, to speak to his diocese,” Fath said.
During his 6 1/2 years serving in Alaska, Afina served in Fairbanks, Nome, Kotzebue, Little Diomede, Teller, Saint Michael, Stebbins and Unalakleet.
Fath said that prayers for Afina and others “who are suffering because of their religious beliefs” will continue.