A viral video showing a man stealing the Blessed Sacrament from a Catholic church in Abuja has sparked widespread outrage among Nigerians, both online and within the Catholic community.
The footage, which surfaced on social media this week, shows a man quietly walking into the Archangels Police Chaplaincy in Nyanya and removing the monstrance, the vessel that holds the consecrated Eucharist, from the altar before walking out unnoticed.
Church officials later identified the suspect as Abraham Abu, who has since confessed to the act.
According to reports from ACI Africa, Abu admitted that he sold the sacred vessel to local scavengers for ₦9,000, describing his action as a “very bad thing” and asking God for forgiveness.
The stolen monstrance, however, was later recovered in a damaged state, and church authorities confirmed that its glass was shattered and that the vessel had been rendered unusable, describing the theft as a serious act of sacrilege.
In response to the incident, the Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, declared August 22, 2024, as a day of reparation, urging Catholics across the Archdiocese to observe prayers and penance for the desecration of the Eucharist.
He also directed parishes to strengthen security measures during Eucharistic adoration and in chapels where the Blessed Sacrament is kept.
The viral clip, which resurfaced online this week, has since drawn angry reactions on Facebook, Instagram, and X, with many users condemning the act as “an abomination” and calling for the suspect to face prosecution.
Others have demanded stricter surveillance and better protection of religious sanctuaries across Nigeria.
While Catholic news agencies have confirmed the confession and the recovery of the monstrance, there has been limited coverage from major Nigerian mainstream outlets on the incident.
Watch the video HERE.