A Catholic priest in Kaduna State, Reverend Father Sylvester Okechukwu, who was abducted by bandits in the Kaura Local Government Area, has been killed by his captors.
Father Okechukwu, who served as the priest in charge of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church Tachira, was taken from his residence around 9 pm on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
His lifeless body was discovered in the early hours of Wednesday, March 5 — a day observed as Ash Wednesday by the Catholic Church.
The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan confirmed the tragic incident in a statement signed by its Chancellor, Reverend Father Jacob Shanet.
The diocese described the late priest as a selfless servant of God committed to preaching peace, love, and hope.
“We are devastated by the loss of our dear brother. His unwavering dedication to his calling and community will be greatly missed,” the statement read.
While the motive behind the killing remains unclear, the diocese urged the community to remain calm and avoid any form of retaliation.
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Kaduna State Police Command spokesman, Mansir Hassan, also confirmed the incident.
He said security operatives have been deployed to the area and surrounding communities to track down the perpetrators.
Father Okechukwu, born on December 11, 1980, was ordained on February 11, 2021.
This abduction was not his first, having been kidnapped in December 2022 from St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Fadan Kono, but released after three days.
His tragic death adds to the growing list of clerics targeted by bandits in the region.