Troops Arrest Suspected Killers of Catholic Priest in Kaduna

Troops of Sector 7 of the Special Task Force, Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), have arrested two suspects linked to the murder of Reverend Father Sylvester Okechukwu, a Catholic priest abducted and killed in Tachira Village, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The OPSH Media Officer, Major Samson Zhakom, confirmed the arrest in a statement from Jos, Plateau State, stating that troops raided the hideout of the prime suspect, 33-year-old Pate Yau, at a Ruga settlement in Warsa-Piti Village, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State. During interrogation, Yau confessed that he was hired by one Douglas Henry, a resident of the same house as the slain priest, to carry out the abduction.

Following his confession, troops arrested Henry at Agwan Sariki Tachira in Kaura LGA. Both suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further interrogation.

Father Okechukwu, who served as the parish priest of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tachira, was kidnapped from his residence on the night of March 4, 2025. His body was discovered the following day, March 5, which coincided with Ash Wednesday.