By Fr. Kadiri Melchizedek
Many of us would not remember exactly where we were in the morning hours of 28th October 2012, but not Mr. Thomas Anthony Abah. With just a close of his eyes, he would return to that day, he would re-live the peaceful moments just before all of hell got unleashed. Demons infiltrated God’s house and through a lone suicide bomber, the hallowed building of St. Rita’s Catholic Church, Malali District, Kaduna could not hold safe the believers in it. The Cadets who had their suspicions, stopped the car carry the impending doom and would not allow it into the Church. They could however, not prevent doom but only assuage what could had been a more terrific event as the bomber had other ideas. He reversed backwards, knocking his car into the wall of the Church. The impact of the bomb destroyed about a half of the Church, claiming immediately, four lives while leaving a host of many others with fatal and life changing injuries. Mr. Abah one of the fatally injured, yet a survivor shares his story of pain, loss, restoration and gratitude.

“Of those injured, I was the most badly affected”, he said. “People thought I was dead. I was already been taken to the mortuary when I revived consciousness and asked ‘what was happening’? I was rushed to Garkuwa Hospital from where I was immediately referred to Nursing Home, Barau Diko. I was operated upon as many particles were removed from my stomach. I was blind for three months and ten days in both eyes”.

He recounted how the visit of the Archbishop, Most Revd. Dr. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso and the then Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency, Late Sir Patrick Yakowa was instrumental to the medical, financial, spiritual and emotional support received. Due to his unstable condition, he could not be flown abroad for treatment. He had a Cataract Transplant at the National Eye Center Kaduna and was referred to Eye Foundation Abuja where one of his eyes was revived in February 2013.

However, in 2019, he lost sight completely again. The problem could not be detected at the National Eye Center, Kaduna. His manager (Mrs Mshelia Sarah) at his workplace, Emerald Suites, noticed his absence from work and when furnished with the new information, arranged for him to be taken to Thelish Indian Hospital near Barau Diko Kaduna. It was discovered a foreign object (a particle) in his body was responsible for the loss of sight and he required immediate Operation. Due to his financial ineptitude, Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso was made aware, and together with the support of Mr. Abah’s local community, he got the required financial assistance for that Operation. From that time till now, Mr. Abah has been on monthly medical supervision and check-ups in the hospital. He was also told he would be needing a Cornea transplant sooner or later.

In 2024, the need for the Cornea Transplant became dire, Mr. Abah returned to the Archbishop for assistance. The Archbishop asked Mr. Abah to meet the Co-ordinator of the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Fr. Diga Raphael, whom the Archbishop had given instructions. Through the assistance of the Archbishop, the instrumentality of the JDPC and Parishes of the Archdiocese about Seven Million was raised, and Mr. Abah was able to undergo the Cornea Transplant on the 6th of May, 2025. Thankfully to God, the transplant was a success, Mr. Abah can now see in both eyes although he still requires monthly medical examination and constant medications.

In his words of appreciation, Mr. Abah thanked God and all those who have helped him one way or the other. He however singled out the invaluable roles played by the Church in the Archdiocese of Kaduna governed by the kind-hearted Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Revd. Dr, Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, the JDPC of the Archdiocese and his Parish Community, in his recovery. He said, “… I return all glory to God, I also thank and appreciate very sincerely the Archbishop for being the channel through which I received God’s healing and saving mercy. I thank the JDPC team for its tireless effort and commitment, especially the Co-ordinator, Fr. Diga Raphael. Gratitude also to my Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Augustine Garba OSA and my Parish Community. Finally, I thank the Laity and all good people of Kaduna Archdiocese for every word of prayer, every sacrifice and financial commitment. May God reward you all”.

Once again, the plight of Mr. Thomas John Abah is testament to a Nation whose Leaders continue to fail its citizens in the performance of its most fundamental duty; protection of lives and property. We cannot tell the stories of the many nameless, unknown and hopeless victims of terrorism, banditry and kidnappings. The ineptitude of the Nigerian Government in addressing these ills is very loud. Even in his difficulty caused by a failed system, Mr. Abah claims he has never received a penny from the Government. We pray for God to give us responsible and God-fearing leaders who would see the value of human lives, and we thank the Catholic Church for being the sign of God’s mercy, healing and hope to Mr. Abah and to countless others. And may God perfect his healing upon Mr. Thomas John Abah. Amen.

Compiled by Fr. Kadiri Melchizedek