We’ve found decomposed body of kidnapped Kaduna priest – Catholic Church

The kidnapped Kaduna Catholic priest, Very Rev. Fr. John Mark Chietnum, has been found dead.

But another priest, Rev. Fr. Donatus Cleopas, kidnapped with him, escaped from the kidnappers’ den, the Catholic Church has said.

The two priests were abducted on July 15 at the Rector of Christ the King Parish in Yadin Garu in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

A statement by the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Rev. Fr Emmanuel Okolo, confirmed that the decomposed corpse of Rev. Chietnum was found on Tuesday.

He was said to have been murdered the same day they were abducted.

Until his death, Rev Chietnum was the CAN Chairman, Jema’a Local Government Area and the coordinating CAN chairman, Southern Kaduna.

Meanwhile, bandits have killed five villagers in Ganin-Gari community of Randagi Ward in the Western part of Birnin Gwari Local Area of Kaduna State.

A statement signed by Ishaq Usman Kafai, Chairman, Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressive Union (BEPU), said the attack took place on Sunday when the bandits numbering about 40 on 14 motorcycles stormed the community.

He said the bandits killed two people, rustled cattle and kidnapped an unspecified number of people in the community.

Kafai said a joint team of policemen and local vigilantes engaged the bandits around Tudun Wada Bridge and freed all the kidnapped victims and rustled cattle.

“On their way back to their hideouts, they (bandits) killed a mad teenage boy who they come across on the road around Dawakin Bassa community. On Monday they also killed another two locals at their farms bringing to total the number of locals killed to five,” he said.