JUST IN: Tragedy as Bandits Kill Catholic Priest on Ash Wednesday, Location Announced

• The Catholic community in the Kaura local government area of Kaduna state has been throwing into mourning
• Bandits killed Reverend Father Slyvester Okechukwu after kidnapping him from his house on Tuesday, March 4, 2025
• The state police public relations officer, Mansir Hassan, shared more details about the tragic incident

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 7 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international events

Kaduna state - Armed bandits have killed a kidnapped Catholic priest, Reverend Father Sylvester Okechukwu in Kaduna State.

Father Okechukwu was abducted from his home at about 9pm on Tuesday, March 4 in the Kaura local government area of the state.

The Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Reverend Father Jacob Shanet, said the deceased killed in the early hours of Wednesday, March 5, which coincided with Ash Wednesday.

As reported by Channels Television, Shanet made this known in a statement on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

Read also

David Shikfu Parradang: How former Nigerian Immigration boss died in Abuja hotel room, photos emerge

“After being taken by his abductors, we regret to inform you that Fr Sylvester was cruelly killed in the early hours of today, the 5th of March 2025, Ash Wednesday. It is yet to be determined why he was killed."

The deceased was the priest in charge of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church Tachira, in the local government area.

Fr. Okechukwu was born on December 11, 1980, and was ordained a priest of the Catholic Church on February 11, 2021.

It was gathered that Fr. Okechukwu was first kidnapped from St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Fadan Kono, Kauru LGA in December 2022.

The kidnappers later released him after three days in captivity.

The state Police spokesman, Mansir Hassan, who confirmed the tragic incident said the command have taken action.

Hassan said officers have been deployed to the area and to the neighbouring communities to arrest the masterminds of the murder of the priest.

Read also

Bandits disguise as EFCC operatives to kidnap hotel guests, location announced

in a similar incident, Legit.ng reported that bandits attacked and killed the acting chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Katsina state.

The terrorists killed Alhaji Amadu Surajo with three others in the late hours of Saturday night into the wee hours of Sunday.

Surajo's two wives and his daughter, who is a university undergraduate were also kidnapped during the deadly attack.

Legit.ng also reported that tragedy struck in Pandogari Community, Rafi local government area of Niger state after armed bandits attacked the area.

The terrorists killed a vigilante and kidnapped six teenage girls during the attack on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.

One of the residents said armed bandits have been attacking the community since the alleged negotiation with Governor Uba Sani-led Kaduna state government.

Bandits kill vigilantes, kidnap village head’s son

Read also

Just in: Tragedy as man beats wife to death over Ramadan food

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that no fewer than three local vigilantes were killed by bandits in Maraban Agyaro village in Kaduna state.

The bandits also kidnapped the son of the village head when he went to fetch sand close on Friday, April 19, 2024.

Seven motorcycles were burnt and the bandits ran away with five after attacking the community on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Source: Legit.ng