One Of Two Abducted Kaduna Catholic Priests Found Dead, Another Escapes

The decomposing body of one of the two Catholic Priests abducted in Kaduna State has been recovered while the other has regained freedom.

The two priests Rev. Fr. John Mark Chietnum and Rev. Fr. Donatus Cleopas were abducted last week Friday, 15th July.

The two priests were kidnapped from the rectory of Christ the King Catholic Church, Yadin Garu in the Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna where they were on an assignment, Naija News recalls.

In a statement on Tuesday by the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Rev. Fr Emmanuel Uchechukwu Okolo disclosed that while Chietnum was killed, Cleopas regained freedom by escaping from the kidnappers’ den.

The victim was allegedly killed the same day he was kidnapped.

While soliciting prayers for the repose of the late priest and God’s consolation on his immediate family, the Diocese also declared two-day mourning for the peaceful repose of his soul.

“As we solicit for prayer for the repose of our dear brother and Priest and God’s consolation on his immediate family, we wish to call on all an sundry to refrain from taking the law into their hands. The Diocese declared a two day mourning for peaceful repose of his soul.” 

Meanwhile, the burial of Chietum has been scheduled to hold for 10am, at the Cathedral of St. Peter Kafanchan on Thursday.

Rev. Chietnum served as the coordinating CAN chairman for Southern Kaduna up until his death as well as the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jema’a Local Government Area.