Troops of the special military task force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), have apprehended two individuals suspected of being involved in the killing of Rev. Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu. The arrest was confirmed in a statement issued by Maj. Samson Zhakom, the Media Officer for OPSH, on Wednesday in Jos.
According to reports, Okechukwu, a priest from the Catholic Diocese of Kafachan in Kaduna State, was abducted on March 4 at approximately 9:15 p.m. He was taken from his residence in Tachira, Kaura Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State and was found dead the following day, March 5.
Zhakom explained that the suspects were arrested on Tuesday after troops conducted a raid in the Warsa-Piti community of Lere LGA. The prime suspect, a 33-year-old man, was captured at a hideout located in a Ruga settlement in Warsa-Piti. During preliminary interrogation, the prime suspect admitted to being hired by another individual who lived in the same house as the slain priest to carry out the kidnapping.
In a follow-up operation, troops arrested another suspect in Agwan Sarki, Tachira, Kaura LGA. Both suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further questioning.
Zhakom added that investigations are still ongoing to locate other individuals involved in the crime.
