Suspect confesses to kidnapping, killing of Kaduna Catholic Priest

A key suspect in the abduction and murder of Rev. Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu has confessed to orchestrating the crime, citing financial desperation as his motive. The suspect, who is currently in custody at the headquarters of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) in Jos, said he needed N200,000 to solve a personal problem.

Fr. Okechukwu, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, was kidnapped on March 4 at about 9:15 p.m. at his residence in Tachira, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State. His body was discovered the following day, March 5.

Suspect’s Confession

The suspect, whose name has been withheld, admitted to inviting criminals from outside the community to carry out the abduction but denied instructing them to kill the priest.

“Fr. Okechukwu was living in our house at Tachira. I masterminded his kidnap because I needed money. I invited some guys from other places to assist me, but I didn’t ask them to kill him. I don’t know why they did,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Another suspect, also in custody, confirmed that he was recruited for the crime but claimed he did not participate in the killing.

“At first, I refused to be part of the plan, but the chief suspect insisted. He and I grew up in the same community. On the day of the incident, I left my place in Warsa-Piti in Lere Local Government and joined the operation. He also contacted other individuals from Bokkos in Plateau who brought weapons. After we took the priest and walked some distance, we left him with them. We don’t know why they killed him,” he said.

Security Response

Following an investigation, security operatives raided a settlement in Warsa-Piti, Lere Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of the two suspects. Authorities are continuing their search for the remaining individuals involved in the crime.

An OPSH official, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that detectives are working to apprehend the other accomplices still at large.

Community Reaction

The killing of Fr. Okechukwu has sparked outrage and mourning in the Tachira community, where he was well respected. Residents have expressed shock over the involvement of someone from within their locality in the crime.

Security agencies have assured the public that efforts are ongoing to bring all those responsible to justice.