Metro

Abducted Kaduna Catholic Priest Dies In Kidnappers’ Den

Published

3 years ago

May 11, 2022

Reverend Father Joseph Akete of the St. John Catholic Church, Kudenda in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, who was kidnapped eight weeks ago, has died in captivity.

The Chancellor, Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna, Rev. Fr. Christian Okewu Emmanuel, disclosed this in Kaduna on Wednesday.

Recall that on March 8, some gunmen invaded the St. John Catholic Church, Kudenda in Chikun Local Government Area of the State and abducted the Priest, Reverend Father Joseph Akete, killing one security guard.

According to the Chancellor, the late Catholic Priest had died between April 18 and 20, 2022.

He said the cleric was ill before the abduction, noting that the hoodlums never allowed the Priest to go along with his drugs as of the time of the incident.

The Chancellor 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 died.”

The Chancellor quoted the Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, to have communicated his deepest sympathies to the breaved family and the entire Catholic Community of St John Catholic Church, Kudenda and assured them of his fraternal closeness and prayers.

“Details of his funeral arrangement will be announced as soon as they are ready. Meanwhile, kindly continue to pray for his peaceful repose, and for the consolation of the bereaved Christian Community in the Archdiocese of Kaduna,” the Chancellor added.

Metro

BREAKING: Bodies Of 8 Missing Policemen Recovered In Benue

Published

2 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Lifeless bodies of the eight policemen who were declared missing after a deadly attack on security operatives at Agu Centre, on the border of Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State, have been recovered.

Dr Justin Shaku, Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA disclosed this to reporters in Makurdi on Monday.

According to him, “this brings the number of officers killed to 11 (10 policemen and one BSCPG)”.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday, when a team of security operatives came under the attack of armed invaders.

Three personnel were immediately confirmed dead while eight others were declared missing.

Metro

Police Arrest Three Kidnappers Over ₦6.9m Ransom, Victim’s Murder

Published

2 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested three suspected kidnappers who allegedly killed one of their victims after collecting N6.9 million ransom.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday.

Iringe-Koko identified the suspects as Hassan Mohammed (20) of Wandigah Town, Mandagali, Borno State; Bello Abubakar (25) of Roundabout Maura, Sokoto State; and Yusuf Ahmed (23) of Hazari LGA, Bauchi State.

She said the arrests followed an investigation into the abduction of Humphrey Wagbara of Igwuruta-Atali.

According to the PPRO, the suspects also kidnapped one Mercy Chinyere on September 12, 2025, at the same location, where they also collected a ransom of N3,500,000 before releasing her.

The statement read, “On 26th August, 2025, the Rivers State Police Command received a distressing report, suggesting the kidnapping of one Humphrey Wagbara, m of Igwuruta-Atali.

“Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annexe, acting on this information and in a daring and coordinated operation on 19th September, 2025, at about 0200hrs arrested three suspects at different locations in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the State in connection with the kidnapping of the victim.”

Iringe-Koko said during interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in the State.

Among their past kidnappings are those of Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 24, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, where they collected a ransom of N6,900,000 before killing the victim.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one G-3 rifle with Breech Number 10398, one magazine, one Itel phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara, a kidnapped victim, three short daggers, one jack knife and one stainless short knife,” Rivers police imagemaker said.

Iringe-Koko added that the suspects and exhibits remain in police custody while detectives track other fleeing members of the syndicate and search for additional weapons.

The Command said it arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl (name withheld) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

According to Iringe-Koko, George committed the offence on September 6, 2025, after luring the minor while she was sent on an errand by her aunt.