A Catholic priest, Reverend Father Joseph Akete Bako, kidnapped last March in Kaduna State by bandits has reportedly died in captivity
The victim was inside his church, St. John Catholic Church, Kudenda in Chikun Local Government Area of the state on March 8, 2022, when an armed gang kidnapped and whisked him away into the forest.
Commenting on his death,
The Chancellor, Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna, Rev. Fr. Christian Okewu Emmanuel, who announced the victim’s death to newsmen, said the priest fell sick and died in captivity.
Emmanuel, who explained that the priest was not allowed to use his medication, said: “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.”
Meanwhile, he said the Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, had extended his condolences to the bereaved family.
His words: “Details of his funeral arrangement will be announced as soon as they are ready. Please, kindly continue to pray for his peaceful repose, and for the consolation of the bereaved Christian Community in the Archdiocese of Kaduna.”
