The police in Katsina have said that four suspects have been arrested in connection with Thursday night bandits’ attack on Saint Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.
A 40-year-old priest, Reverend Father Alphonsus Bello, was said to have been killed during the attack, while another 70-year-old retired Reverend Father, Joseph Keke, was abducted.
Police spokesman, Gambo Isah, who confirmed the incident on the telephone, gave the names of the 4 arrested suspects, Hamisu Muhammed, Abubakar Yusuf, Musa Abdu, and Saidu Hamza.
They are between the ages of 32 and 45 years.
He hinted that they are all security guards of the compound housing the deceased and abducted clergymen.
Isah further said that during the interrogation of the suspects, the body of the deceased Reverend Father Bello was found beside the motorcycle of one of the arrested suspects, 43-year-old Abubakar Yusuf, a guard of the compound, and a commercial motorcycle rider.
The police image maker further noted that investigation has begun into the circumstances that led to the bandits knowing the actual residence of the two victims.
He said the investigation search and rescue party have been launched into the forest areas, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, in collaboration with other sister security agencies, and members of the community, at the instance of the Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Buba, to rescue the abducted 70-year-old retired Reverend Father Keke Joseph.
He said initial confirmation from physicians at the hospital stated that the late clergyman, Bello, must have died from either shock, strangulation, or beating, as there was evidence of physical violations on him, thereby, ruling out death by gunshot.
Meanwhile, a source in the area, said the gunmen invaded the church compound around 11 p.m on Thursday and headed for the residences of the two priests, located inside the compound.
He said the compound is large, as it houses a boarding school, church as well as some accommodation for the inhabitants.
The Chairman of the Katsina State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, the Very Reverend Nelson Onyekachukwu, expressed sadness over the incident and confirmed that the abducted clergyman is seriously ill.
He revealed that the nation’s leadership has failed, as no one is safe at night or day.
Onyekachukwu also noted that the President has failed Nigerians in terms of security and fatherliness. He suggested that he steps aside for a capable hand to take charge of the affairs of the nation.
The Katsina CAN boss further revealed that as a result of the current state of the nation, the national body of the association has declared the 28, 29, and 30th of May for prayers for the nation.
He, therefore, prayed for the repose of the deceased, as well as the prompt rescue of the abducted 70-year-old retired Reverend Father Joseph, given his ill-health and age.