Troops arrest 2 suspects over killing of Catholic priest

Troops of the special military taskforce, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), have arrested two suspected killers of Rev. Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu.

This is contained in a statement issued by Maj. Samson Zhakom, the Media Officer of OPSH, on Wednesday in Jos.

It was reported that Okechukwu, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Kafachan, Kaduna State, was abducted on March 4, at about 9:15 p.m.

Okechukwu, who was abducted at his residence in Tachira, Kaura Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, was later found dead on March 5.

Zhakom said that the suspects were arrested on Tuesday, following a raid troops conducted in a settlement at Warsa-Piti community of Lere LGA of the state.

“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 the slain priest to kidnap him.

“Troops in a follow-up operation arrested the suspect at Agwan Sarki, Tachira in Kaura LGA.

“The suspects are in custody undergoing further interrogation,” he said.

The media officer said that investigation were still ongoing to unravel the whereabout of the remaining persons who participated in the henius crime.