Gunmen attacked St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Malunfashi Area of Katsina State and reportedly killed a Catholic priest identified as Rev Fr Alphonsus Bello.
A parishioner, who simply identified himself as Dominic, disclosed that the gunmen attacked the church around 11 pm on Thursday.
It was learnt that the cleric was abducted alongside an elderly priest identified as Rev Father Joe Keke before his corpse was seen in the early hours of Friday.
The incident was confirmed by Katsina State Police Police Public Relations Officer, Isah Gambo, noting that two suspects have been arrested by the police.
He added that the police are on the trail of the assailants.
The incident was further confirmed by the National Social Communications Director, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh.
He stated that the gunmen dumped the lifeless body of the cleric in the farmland behind the Catechetical Training School in Malumfashi, Katsina.
Umoh stated, “Last night, one of the parishes of the Sokoto Diocese, St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church Malumfashi, in Katsina State was attacked by unknown gunmen.
“Two priests were kidnapped, Frs. Joe Keke and Alphonsus Bello. Fr Keke, the former parish priest, is in his late 70s while Fr. Bello, the current parish priest, is in his 30s.
“This morning (Friday) the body of Fr Alphonsus Bello was found lifeless in the farmland behind the Catechetical Training School, Malunfashi. However, the whereabouts of Fr. Joe Keke is still unknown. No contact has been made thus far.”
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