The Police have arrested 4 suspects in connection with Thursday night bandits’ attack on Saint Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The 40-year-old priest, Reverend Father Alphonsus Bello was killed during the attack, while another 70-year-old retired Reverend Father, Joseph Keke, was abducted.
Police spokesperson, Gambo Isah, who confirmed the incident on the telephone, gave the names of the 4 arrested suspects, Hamisu Muhammed, Abubakar Yusuf, Musa Abdu, and Saidu Hamza. They are between the ages of 32 and 45 years.
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He added that the suspects are all security guards of the compound housing the deceased and abducted clergymen.
Isah further said, during the interrogation of the suspects, the body of the deceased Reverend Father Bello was found beside the motorcycle of one of the arrested suspects, 43-year-old Abubakar Yusuf who is also a commercial motorcycle operator.
The police image maker further added that investigation has begun into the circumstances that led to the bandits knowing the actual residence of the 2 victims.
He said, the investigation, search and rescue party have been launched into the forest areas, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, in collaboration with other sister security agencies, and members of the community, at the instance of the Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Buba, to rescue the abducted 70-year-old retired priest.
He said initial confirmation from physicians at the hospital indicated that the late clergyman may have died from either shock, strangulation, or beating, as there was evidence of physical violations on him, thereby, ruling out death by gunshot.
Meanwhile, a source in the area, said the gunmen invaded the church compound around 11 pm on Thursday and headed for the residences of the two priests, located inside the compound.
He said the compound is large, and it houses a boarding school, church as well as some accommodation for the inhabitants.
The Chairman of the Katsina State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Very Reverend Nelson Onyekachukwu, expressed sadness over the incident and confirmed that the abducted clergyman is seriously ill.
He revealed that the country’s leadership has failed, as no one is safe at night or day.
Onyekachukwu also added that the President has failed Nigerians in terms of security and fatherliness.
He suggested that President Buhari steps aside for a capable hand to take charge of the affairs of the country.
The Katsina CAN boss, further revealed that as a result of the current state of the country, the national body of the Association has declared the 28th, 29th, and 30th of May as national days of prayers.
He, therefore, prayed for the repose of the deceased, as well as the prompt rescue of the abducted 70-year-old retired Reverend Father given his ill health and age.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
