Nigerian Army Troops Arrest Suspected Killers of Reverend Father Sylvester Okechukwu in Kaduna

Troops of Sector 7, Operation SAFE HAVEN, have arrested two suspects involved in the murder of Reverend Father Sylvester Okechukwu, the parish priest of St. Mary Catholic Church in Tachira village, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Father Okechukwu, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, was kidnapped on March 4, 2025, and later killed by his abductors. The arrest was confirmed in a statement by Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, Media Information Officer of Operation SAFE HAVEN, on March 25.

According to the statement, one of the suspects, Douglas Henry, who lived in the same house as the slain priest, allegedly masterminded the abduction. The military apprehended the prime suspect, Pate Yau, 33, during a raid at a hideout in Ruga settlement, Warsa-Piti village, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Yau later confessed that Henry had contracted him to carry out the kidnapping.

Following this revelation, troops conducted a follow-up operation that led to the arrest of Douglas Henry in Agwan Sariki Tachira, Kaura Local Government Area. Both suspects are now in custody and undergoing further interrogation.