By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Parish priest of St John Catholic Church Kudenda, Kaduna, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aketeh Bako has been reportedly slaughtered by his abductors.
Fr Bako was reportedly kidnapped from his residence at St John Catholic Church Kudenda, where he was serving as Parish Priest on the 8th of March, 2022.
A statement signed by Rev. Fr. Christian Olewu Emmanuel and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Wednesday urged Christians to continue to pray for his peaceful repose, and for the
consolation of the bereaved Christian Community in the Archdiocese of Kaduna.
“It is with a heavy heart, but with total submission to the will of God that we announce the death of Rev. Fr. Joseph Aketeh Bako, which sad event took place in the hands of his abductors between 18th and 20th of April 2022.
“Fr Joseph, aged 48, was kidnapped from his residence, in St John Catholic Church, Kudenda,
where he was serving as Parish Priest, on the 8th of March, 2022.
The fact of the circumstances leading to his death and the date of the incident have been carefully verified, hence this communication at this time.
“Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, the Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna has communicated his deepest sympathies to his immediate family and the entire
Catholic Community of St John Kudenda; and assured them of his fraternal closeness and prayers”_it added.
The statement stressed that details of his Funeral arrangement will be announced as soon as they are ready.
Meanwhile, kindly continue to pray for his peaceful repose, and for the consolation of the bereaved Christian Community in the Archdiocese of Kaduna.
Unconfirmed sources said N10 million was paid as ransom before the priest was killed due to inability to make up for additional N10 million demanded by his abductors.
