Catholic cleric killed, another kidnapped in Katsina

Fri, May 21, 2021
By editor
2 MIN READ

Crime

Reverend Father Alphonsus Bello, a Catholic priest, has been killed by gunmen at the Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church Malunfashi, Katsina State, who also kidnapped Rev. Fr. Joe Keke, another priest.

The gunmen invaded the Catholic parish and started shooting into the air, injuring some people in the process.

Rev. Fr. Chris Omotosho, director of Communications for Sokoto diocese, in a note to the national communications office of Catholic Secretariat in Abuja, said the attack was carried out at about 11.30pm and that Bello was the parish priest of St. Vincent while Keke, 75 years, was a priest in residence.

Also, Padre Mike Umoh,  national social communications director, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, who confirmed the incident, said: “Last night, one of the parishes of the Sokoto Diocese – St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church Malunfashi, in Katsina state – was attacked by unknown gunmen.

“Two priests were kidnapped, Frs. Joe Keke and Alphonsus Bello. Fr Keke, the former parish priest, is in his late 70s while Fr. Bello, the current parish priest, is in his 30s.

“The lifeless body of Rev. Fr. Alphonsus Bello was found this morning, Friday May 21, 2021, on the farmland behind the Catechetical Training School, Malumfashi in Katsina State, which is part of Sokoto diocese under Bishop Matthew Kukah.

“This morning (Friday) the body of Fr Alphonsus Bello was found lifeless in the farmland behind the Catechetical Training School, Malunfashi. However, the whereabouts of Fr. Joe Keke is still unknown. No contact has been made thus far.”

– May 21, 2021 @ 11: 30 GMT |

 

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