Reverend Father Joseph Akete of the St. John Catholic Church, Kudenda in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has died in kidnappers’ den.
He was abducted about eight weeks ago when bandits attacked his church and killed a security guard.
The chancellor, Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna, Rev. Fr Christian Okewu Emmanuel disclosed this in Kaduna.
He said the priest died between April 18 and 20, 2022, adding that Akete had been sick before he was kidnapped.
Fr Emmanuel said when Akete was seized, he pleaded with the kidnappers to allow him take his medications along, but they refused.
Mr Emmanuel said, “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 died.”
The Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, has communicated his deepest sympathies to the bereaved family and the entire Catholic Community of St John Catholic Church, Kudenda and assured them of his fraternal closeness and prayers.
