Kidnapping suspect confesses to abducting Kaduna Catholic Priest
A prime suspect in the kidnapping and killing of Rev. Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu has revealed his motives, admitting he orchestrated the abduction to secure ¦ 200,000 for personal reasons.
Speaking at the Headquarters of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) in Jos, where he is currently being held, the suspect (whose name has been withheld) detailed his role in the crime.
Fr. Okechukwu, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan in Kaduna State, was kidnapped on 4 March at approximately 9:15 PM from his residence in Tachira, Kaura Local Government Area. His body was discovered the following day.
The suspect confessed to recruiting accomplices from outside the area to assist in the crime. However, he claimed he did not instruct them to kill the priest.
“Fr. Okechukwu was living in our house in Tachira, and I planned his abduction because I needed ¦ 200,000 for personal issues,” he said. “I invited some people from other places to help me carry out the plan, but I never told them to kill him. I don’t know why they did it, as I was not with them when it happened.”
Another suspect, also in custody at OPSH, corroborated parts of the confession, stating that he initially refused to participate in the crime but was pressured by the ringleader.
“He and I grew up in the same community. He called me to assist, but I refused at first. He later insisted, so I travelled from Warsa-Piti in Lere Local Government Area to join him,” he stated.
He further disclosed that the chief suspect enlisted other individuals from Bokkos, Plateau State, who arrived armed for the operation.
“We kidnapped the priest and walked for some distance before leaving him with the others. I do not know why they killed him,” he added.
An official from OPSH, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the suspects were arrested on Tuesday following a raid in Warsa-Piti, Lere Local Government Area. Investigations remain ongoing as authorities continue to track down additional suspects connected to the crime.
