SUSPECTED Gunmen has killed a Catholic Priest, Rev Father Alphonsus Bello at the Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church Malunfashi, Katsina State.
After killing Bello, they abducted another priest, Rev. Fr. Joe Keke.
The suspected bandits attacked St. Vincent Ferrer’s premise, beside First Bank on Malumfashi-Funtua road around 11.30pm on Thursday.
The remains of Rev. Father Alphonsus was discovered at the back of the Pastoral Centre of St.Vincent Ferrer’s Catholic Church Friday morning.
Confirming the incident, the National Social Communications Director, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Padre Mike Umoh, said, “Last night, one of the parishes of the Sokoto Diocese – St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church Malunfashi, in Katsina state – was attacked by unknown gunmen.
“Two priests were kidnapped, Frs. Joe Keke and Alphonsus Bello. Fr Keke, the former parish priest, is in his late 70s while Fr. Bello, the current parish priest, is in his 30s.
“The lifeless body of Rev. Fr. Alphonsus Bello was found this morning, Friday May 21, 2021, on the farmland behind the Catechetical Training School, Malumfashi in Katsina State, which is part of Sokoto diocese under Bishop Matthew Kukah.
“This morning (Friday) the body of Fr Alphonsus Bello was found lifeless in the farmland behind the Catechetical Training School, Malunfashi. However, the whereabouts of Fr. Joe Keke is still unknown. No contact has been made thus far.”
