“I Was Hired By  Rev. Fr. Okechukwu’s Housemate To Abduct Him” – Suspect Tells Troops

By Suleiman Anyalewchi

Troops of Sector 7 of the Special Task Force, otherwise known as Operation Safe Haven, OPSH, Plateau state, on Wednesday March 26,2025 announced the arrest of two suspects in connection with the kidnap and subsequent killing of a Kaduna Catholic Priest, Rev Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu.

The Source reports that Father Okechukwu was on March 4,2025  abducted from his residence in Tachira , Kaura local council of Kaduna State by some gunmen.

Howeve , the following day March 5, his mangled and lifeless body was  recovered, much to widespread indignation and condemnation .

A statement from Samson Zhakom ,a Major ,and spokesperson for the OPSH, informed that the  suspects were apprehended sequel to a coordinated raid carried out on the den of the prime suspect in Ruga Settlement, Warsa-Piti Community, Lere Local Council of Kaduna State on Tuesday, March 25.

According to the  Spokesman, Pate Yau  33, the main suspect, during interrogation, admitted being hired by one Douglas Henry, a resident of the same house as Father Ikechukwu, to carry out the dastardly act.

Following useful information gathered, troops were  able to further arrest another suspect Henry, in Agwan Sariki Tachira, in Kaura Local Government Area, the  military stated.

“The suspects were arrested following a raid on the prime suspect’s hideout located at a Ruga Settlement in Warsa-Piti community ,Lere LGA of Kaduna state.

“During preliminary investigation, the prime suspect ,a 33-year old man, confessed to have been contracted by another man, living in the same house with slain Priest to kidnap him.

“Investigations are ongoing to unravel the whereabouts of the remaining persons who participated in the heinous crime.” the Military noted .

Major Zhakom, explained that the arrested suspects are in custody, assisting in further investigation of the incident.

Until his abduction and gruesome murder, Rev Father Okechukwu was attached to the Catholic Diocese of Kafachan in Southern Kaduna .