One of the two abducted Catholic priests in Kaduna State has been killed while the other escaped from captivity.
The priests – Rev. Frs. John Cheitnum and Donatus Cleopas were abducted on July 15, 2022, shortly after arriving the parısh rectory of Christ the King Catholic Church, Yadin Garu, in Lere Local Government of Kaduna state for a programme.
In a statement on Tuesday evening, the Chancellor of the Kafanchan Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okolo said
Rev. Fr. John Cheitnum was brutally murdered by the abductors while Rev. Fr. Donatus Cleophas escaped.
“Sequel to the announcement of the two kidnapped priests from our diocese, we wish to announce that Rev. Fr. Donatus Cleophas escaped from his abductors and has reunited with us.
“However, it is with a deep sense of sorrow and pains that
the Bishop, Clergy, Religious and Laity of the Diocese of Kafanchan announce the
gruesome murder of Very Rev. Fr. John Mark Cheitnum”, Okolo said.
The statement said Cheitnum was “brutaly killed by his abductors on the same day of his abduction, Friday 15h July, 2022”, and his decomposed corpse was discovered on Tuesday 19 July, 2022.
“Until his demise he was the CAN Chairman, Jama’a LGA as well as the Coordinating Chairman of CAN, Southern Kaduna.
Cheitnum was also the Dean of Kwoi Deanery, Director of Communications in the Diocese of Kafanchan and the Pastor of St. James Parish Fori, Jama’a LGA, Kaduna State. The statement announced that the slated of the late priest will be buried on Thursday, at the Cathedral of St. Peter Kafanchan.
“As we solicit for prayers for the repose of our dear brother Priest and God’s consolation on his immediate family, we wish to humbly call on all and sundry to refrain from taking the laws into their hands.
“The Diocese has declared a two day mourning for peaceful repose of his soul and may his soul and the souls of the
faithful departed rest in peace- Amen”, the statement said.
John Shiklam in Kaduna
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