Soliders Arrest 2 Suspects Over Alleged Abduction, Murder Of Kaduna Catholic Priest
Two suspects have been arrested over the abduction and killing of Rev. Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan in Kaduna State.
The suspects, Pate Ya’u and Daniel, were among the six gang members that abducted the Reverend on March 4, 2025. In a trending video, Pate said Daniel initiated and assembled the team that carried out the abduction.
The special military task force, Operation Safe Haven, has confirmed the arrest of the two suspects in a statement issued by its media officer, Maj. Samson Zhakom, on Wednesday in Jos.
Okechukwu, who was abducted at about 9:15pm from his residence in Tachira, Kaura Local Government Area of the state, was later found dead on March 5.
Zhakom said that one suspect was arrested on Tuesday following a raid by troops in a settlement at the Warsa-Piti community of Lere LGA of the state.
The other suspect was arrested by the troops in a follow-up operation at Agwan Sarki, Tachira in Kaura LGA.
The OPSH said both suspects are undergoing further interrogation while efforts are on to unravel the whereabouts of the remaining persons who participated in the heinous crime.
