Catholic Priest abducted in Kaduna, cook killed

A priest with the Kafanchan Diocese of the Catholic Church in Kaduna State, Rev. Father Joseph Shekari, has been kidnapped by gunmen on Monday, while his cook, was killed in the process.

The state police spokesman, DSP Mohammed Jalige, who confirmed the incident, said Father Shekari was abducted from his residence at Ikulu Fari in Chawai village of Kapur Local Government Area of the state in the early hours of the day.

The police said the priest had returned to his residence after conducting a thanksgiving service at a nearby parish on Sunday night, and was preparing to go back to his parish on Monday morning when the gunmen struck.

“The priest, identified as Rev. Father Joseph Shekari, was kidnapped from his residence in the early hours of Monday.

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“The gunmen also killed the Reverend Father’s cook who is a secondary school student, before taking the priest away to an unknown destination.

“The gunmen also carted away an undisclosed amount of money from the priest’s house during the attack.

“The State Police Commissioner has dispatched a crack squad of anti-kidnapping team to go after the abductors and rescue the priest,” Jalige said.

The Kafanchan diocese, in a statement, confirmed the abduction of the Catholic priest and the killing of his cook.

In the issued by the Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okolo, said Shekari was kidnapped from his residence, while soliciting prayers from everyone, saying the Church would do everything legally possible to secure the quick and safe release of the priest.

“May Jesus crucified on the cross, listen to our prayers and hasten the unconditional release of His priest and all others kidnapped,” he prayed.

Meanwhile, latest reports have been confirmed that the abductors of Father Shekari have demanded for a ransom of N60 million for his release.