Former Alaska priest released by terrorist group more than 7 weeks after being kidnapped
Rev. Alphonsus Afina had been taken captive by Boko Haram on June 1
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTVF/KTUU) - A Catholic priest who spent several years in Alaska has been released by a terrorist group in Africa, more than seven weeks after being taken captive.
The Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks reported that the former Rev. Alphonsus Afina, who practiced in Fairbanks and outlying communities in Interior and Western Alaska from 2017 to 2024, was unharmed after being kidnapped on June 1 by the terrorist organization Boko Haram while on a mission in Africa.
“Thank you to all who have been storming heaven for him,” the Diocese wrote on its Facebook page Monday.
Boko Haram is a self-proclaimed Jihadist militant group that has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States since 2013.
Rev. Robert Fath with the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks spoke with Alaska’s News Source on Tuesday about the release of Afina, saying that a week prior to hearing about Afina’s release, he had received an update.
“There was an individual who was able to escape the Boko Haram who let us know that Father Alphonsus was still alive, that he was recovering from some injuries to his legs related to being tied up, but that he was, he was doing well despite the circumstances,” Fath said.
Then on Monday, Fath was informed from both the Catholic magazine “Our Sunday Visitor” and Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s office that Afina had been released by the terrorist organization, along with 10 other captives.
“Late last night, Bishop Steven [Maekawa of the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks] received a phone call from Bishop Oliver in the Diocese of Maiduguri to say that Father Alphonsus was with him, that he was in good spirits and that he would be taking the next several days to recover from his captivity,” Fath added.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, also confirmed Afina’s release in a statement on X Monday, saying he was, “safe, recovering, and on his way back to be reunited with his community in Nigeria.” Murkowski credited the efforts of U.S. diplomats including Ambassador Rick Mills, the State Department and national security officials. She thanked Alaskans and others who prayed for Afina’s safe return.
The Fairbanks Diocese reported Monday that Afina had been released and was in safe condition.
Afina came to Alaska from Maiduguri, Nigeria, in September 2017, serving multiple locations across Alaska — including Unalakleet and Nome, with Fairbanks acting as a home base for his operations — through 2024, according to Fath.
Afina had traveled to Nigeria to help build a trauma center in the country for victims of Boko Haram.
Fath called the news a huge relief.
“It hits closer to home when it’s somebody that you know and so we’re so grateful that Father Alphonsus was found alive, that he’s been released relatively unharmed, but we also recognize that, you know, he’s not the only one who has been kidnapped by the Boko Haram, and so we continue to pray for those who are still helping captivity,” Fath said.
While he has not been in contact with Afina since his release, Fath said he continues to hear from those who were affected by the former’s time in Alaska.
“I just hope that he knows how excited we are to know that he is safe, that he’s alive and that, you know, we’ll continue to pray for him and for his ministry as he recovers, and if his Bishop is willing to send him back to Fairbanks, we’d be willing to take him back again. He’s very, very much missed and well-loved here,” Fath said.
According to Fath, there has been no word so far as to Boko Haram’s motive in releasing Afina.
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