Richard Ginika Izuora
Unknown gunmen have killed a Catholic priest, Father John Gbakaan, who is the Dean of the newly created Lapai Deanery in Niger State.
Father John, who was also in charge of St. Anthony’s Parish Gulu in Lapai local government area of the state, was killed along the Lambata-Lapai road.
A close colleague of the deceased and priest in charge of St. Theresa Catholic Parish Madala, Father John Jatau confirmed this on Sunday.
Father Jatau told Channels TV that Father Gbakaan, alongside his brother and another priest, Thursday travelled to Makurdi in Benue state where he went to see his mother.
Father Jatau noted that it was on his way back, that he and his brother were attacked by gunmen along Lambata-Lapai road.
He said the incident took place at about 9 pm after Father Gbakaan had dropped the other priest at Suleja.
The attackers were said to have descended on the priest with machetes, hacking his body beyond recognition.
Father Jatau said the body of the priest was found the following day, Saturday, tied to a tree in a bush, after some vigilante members in the area raised alarm.
The Toyota Venza vehicle in which the priest was traveling was also found in the bush.
Meanwhile, the brother of the deceased was abducted and yet to be found.
According to Father Jatau, the gunmen on Saturday put a call to the Catholic Diocese in Minna, demanding for the sum of Thirty Million Naira, but later in the course of negotiation dropped the ransom to Five Million Naira.
As at the time of filing this report, negotiations were said to be ongoing, while the body of the slain priest has been deposited at the IBB Specialist Hospital mortuary in Minna.
However, Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abiodun Wasiu, and the Commissioner of Police in Niger are yet to issue a statement.
The Bishop of the Minna Catholic Community, His Lordship, Bishop Martin Ozuokwu could also not be reached on phone.