The special military task force Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) has apprehended two suspects in the murder of Rev. Fr Sylvester Okechukwu.
Maj. Samson Zhakom, the OPSH’s media officer, delivered the statement on Wednesday in Jos.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Okechukwu, a priest from the Catholic Diocese of Kafachan in Kaduna State, was kidnapped on March 4 at approximately 9:15 p.m.
Kechukwu, who was abducted at his home in Tachira, Kaura Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, was later discovered dead on March 5.
Zhakom stated that the suspects were apprehended on Tuesday following a raid by troops on a village in the Warsa-Piti community of Lere LGA in the state.
“The suspects were arrested following a raid on the prime suspect’s hideout located at a Ruga settlement in Warsa-Piti community, Lere LGA of Kaduna State.
“During the preliminary investigation, the prime suspect, a 33-year-old man, confessed to having been contracted by another man, living in the same house with the slain priest, to kidnap him.
“Troops in a follow-up operation arrested the suspect at Agwan Sarki, Tachira, in Kaura LGA.
“The suspects are in custody undergoing further interrogation,” he said.
The media officer stated that enquiries were still ongoing to determine the location of the remaining participants in the horrible crime.
