Abducted Kaduna priest dies in kidnappers’ den

A Kaduna State based Reverend Father, Joseph Akete Bako, who was kidnapped in March has died in captivity.

Bako was abducted when gunmen invaded St. John Catholic Church, Kudenda in Chikun Local Government Area of the state on on March 8, 2022.

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The bandits also reportedly killed a security guard before taking away the 48-year-old clergyman.

Commenting on his death, Chancellor, Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna, Rev. Fr. Christian Okewu Emmanuel, said the victim fell sick in captivity.

He said the cleric died as his abductors did not allow him to take his drugs.

“Rev. Father, Joseph, aged 48, was kidnapped from his residence, in St. John Catholic Church Kudenda, where he was serving as Parish Priest, on the 8th March, 2022.”

“His own brother was killed there in his presence and after his brother was killed, his condition worsened and he died. We have not recovered his corpse but we have confirmed his death. People who were kidnapped together with him saw him die,” he said.

The Chancellor said the Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, had extended his condolences to the bereaved family.

He added that “Details of his funeral arrangement will be announced as soon as they are ready. Meanwhile, kindly continue to pray for his peaceful repose, and for the consolation of the bereaved Christian Community in the Archdiocese of Kaduna.”