March 5, 2025 – Southern Kaduna, Nigeria

In a tragic turn of events, Rev. Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu, who was the parish priest of St. Mary Catholic Church in Tachira, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was abducted and brutally murdered by suspected bandits. The heinous crime took place on the night of Tuesday, March 4, 2025, when the priest was abducted from his residence. His corpse was discovered in the morning hours of Wednesday, March 5. Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Rev. Fr. Okechukwu, who hailed from Ozalla Nkanu, Enugu State, was only 44 years old. He was ordained on February 11, 2021, and had since been the pastor of the St. Mary Catholic Church. The sudden death of the priest has plunged his family, friends, and the whole diocesan community into a state of mourning.

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The Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Rev. Fr. Jacob Shanet, issued an official statement announcing the death of the priest. In making the announcement, he spoke deep sadness and sorrow and added that the motive behind the murder is not yet known. “This premature and brutal loss has shattered our hearts and left us in pieces. Fr. Sylvester was a faithful servant of God, who worked unselfishly in the vineyard of the Lord, spreading the word of peace, love, and hope,” he announced.

Fr. Shanet said of Fr. Okechukwu: “He was a priest who was ever ready and ready to serve his people, a true shepherd who made his presence felt in the lives of so many.” “His premature death has left an irreparable gap in our diocesan family,” he added. “We share the pain of his death with his family, friends, and all those who knew and loved him.”

The statement also invited the faithful to come together in prayer for the repose of Fr. Okechukwu’s soul. “We invite all the priests, religious, and the faithful to celebrate Holy Masses, Rosaries, and pray for the eternal rest of Fr. Sylvester, who gave his life in service to God and mankind,” it added.

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The diocese also appealed to the people and youth of the Takad community not to take the law into their own hands at this critical moment and to remain calm. “No one should take the law into their hands,” Fr. Shanet appealed.

Fr. Okechukwu’s sudden death not only shocked the local Catholic faithful but also put into alarm the rising insecurity in the area. Kaduna State, particularly the southern part, has been witnessing a surge of terror attacks, kidnappings, and killings by criminal gangs known as bandits. These criminal gangs typically target religious clerics, government functionaries, and common individuals in their endeavor to extort ransom or induce terror.

Despite the gravity of the offense, the Kaduna State Police Command has yet to issue a statement on the case. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, was not available for interview at the time of this report.

Born on December 11, 1980, Fr. Okechukwu had only just begun his pastoral ministry after having been ordained a Catholic priest in February 2021. His untimely death has left a lasting memory in the lives of many, particularly within the Takad community where he served as a spiritual guide.

The Kafanchan Diocese has also promised to send more updates regarding the funeral arrangements as events unfold in due course. In the meantime, the faithful are urged to stand firm in prayer for Fr. Okechukwu and his grieving family.

As the investigation into his killing and kidnapping goes on, there has been more demand for security measures in the region to guarantee citizens and clerics are secure. Growing brutality has made it more urgent, and demands have increased for the government to do more to dominate the grip of bandits so that all Nigerians can feel safe.

Following this tragedy, the Diocese encouraged its members to draw strength from prayer and unity, comforting all who had been affected by the loss of a beloved priest who had dedicated his life to serving others. “May we continue to hold one another in prayer and unity at this hour of darkness,” Fr. Shanet said.

While the quest for justice goes on, the community is still in shock, trying to come to terms with the brutal murder of a man who spent his life serving and practicing his faith.

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