Outrage as Bandits Kill Catholic Priest, Abduct 70-year-old Reverend Father in Katsina

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

There is outrage in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State following the killing of Reverend Father Alphonsus Bello of Saint Vicent Catholic Church and the abduction of a 70-year-old retired Reverend Father Joseh Keke on Thursday night by suspected bandits.

It was gathered that the suspected bandits stormed the residence of the victims located within the parish at about 11pm and started shooting sporadically.

The State Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), who confirmed the incident to THISDAY Friday, described the killing and abduction of the clergymen as disheartening, unfortunate and painful.

He said: “It happened around 11pm yesterday (Thursday). They killed Reverend Father Alphonsus Bello and kidnapped Father Joseph Keke. Father Keke is a retired Priest; he is above 70. He retired January this year and Father Bello came from Kaduna to take over the parish.

“It is very unfortunate and painful. We don’t have anything to do more than prayers because what is happening in our nation is beyond control, as if we don’t have government in Nigeria”.

He added, “Nigeria is a failed state. Our hearts are bleeding over the situation in the country. President Buhari has failed the entire nation. We will keep praying and trusting God that the situation will be over one day”.

Onyekachukwu reiterated that it was unfair that the locals had been left to their fate, adding that kidnappings and other related criminal activities had become the order of the day in the country.

According to him, “The attack is unfortunate and we should not base it as religious but we should all come together to put an end to banditry and other security challenges facing us in this country”.

The Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, and a Superintendent of Police, Gambo Isah, while confirming the incident to newsmen, said two persons had been arrested in connection with the incident.

He explained that security personnel had been deployed to the area and were combing the foreest with the view to arresting the perpetrators of the act and rescuing the captive.