In a tragic incident in Kaduna State, Reverend Father Slyvester Okechukwu the priest in charge of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church Tachirawas abducted by bandits from his home in Kaura Local Government Area on Tuesday night and later killed by his captors.
Although Kaduna State police have not yet confirmed the incident, Reverend Father Jacob Shanet, Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, verified the heartbreaking news in a statement released on Wednesday.
He reported that the abduction occurred at around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, and that the priest was murdered in the early hours of Wednesday, March 5, which coincided with Ash Wednesday. The motive behind this brutal act remains unknown.
Father Okechukwu was remembered as a selfless servant of God, dedicated to spreading the message of peace, love, and hope, and his untimely death has left a deep void in the diocesan community.
In response to the incident, church leaders called on youths and community members to remain calm, steadfast in prayer, and to resist any acts of lawlessness.
Born on December 11, 1980, the late priest was ordained on February 11, 2021.
This was not the first time he had experienced abduction; in December 2022, he was taken from St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Fadan Kono, Kauru LGA, but was released after three days in captivity.
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