Catholic priest abducted in Kaduna dies — after six weeks in captivity

Joseph Bako, a Catholic priest who was abducted from his residence at St. John Catholic Church, Kudenda, Kaduna, is dead.

TheCable had reported that two people were killed when gunmen attacked his community on March 8, 2022.

The Catholic archdiocese of Kaduna, in a letter addressed to the secretary-general of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria in Abuja, on Wednesday, said the priest died in captivity between April 18 and April 20.

The letter was signed by Christian Emmanuel, chancellor of the archdiocese.

“It is with a heavy heart, but with total submission to the will of God, that we announce the death of Rev. Fr. Joseph Aketeh Bako, which sad event took
place in the hands of his abductors between 18th and 20th of April 2022,” the letter reads.

“Fr. Joseph (aged 48) was kidnapped from his residence, in St John Catholic Church, Kudenda, where he was serving as Parish Priest, on the 8th of March, 2022.

“The fact of the circumstances leading to his death and the date of the incident have been carefully verified, hence this communication at this time.

“Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, the Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, has communicated his deepest sympathies to his immediate family and the entire Catholic Community of St John, 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.”