By Abdul Abdul, Jos
Troops of Sector 7 of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have arrested the killers of Reverend Father Sylvester Okechukwu in Kaduna State.
Reverend Father Okechukwu was initially kidnapped in Tachira village of Kaura Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State and thereafter murdered by his abductors.
OPSH Media Information Officer (MIO) jos, Major Samson Zhakom, said in a statement that the suspects were arrested by the troops on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 following a raid on the prime suspect’s hideout located at Ruga settlement in Warsa-Piti village in Lere Local Government of the State.
According to Major Zhakom, during preliminary investigations, the prime suspect, a 33-year-old Pate Yau, confessed to have been contracted by one Douglas Henry living in the same house with the slain priest to kidnap him.
Zhakom added that in a follow-up operation, the troops arrested Douglas Henry at Angwa Sariki Tachira in Kaura Local Government Area of the State.
He pointed out that the arrested suspects are in custody undergoing further interrogations.
The late Reverend Father Okechukwu, a Catholic priest serving at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Tachiri, Kaura LGA of Kaduna State, was abducted from his residence late Tuesday night March 4, 2025 by armed assailants believed to be bandits operating in the region.
The priest’s lifeless body was discovered in the early hours of Ash Wednesday March 5, 2025, sending waves of grief and outrage through the local community and beyond.
The United States government, through the U.S. Mission in Nigeria had earlier said it “is distressed by the brutal and senseless killing of Reverend Father Sylvester Okechukwu in Kaduna State, Nigeria.
“We strongly condemn this horrific act of violence. We extend our deepest condolences to the family, congregation, and community of Father Okechukwu, who have suffered an immeasurable loss. Our thoughts are with them during this time of profound grief. We call on the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
