May 21, 2021

Police in Katsina has confirmed the killing of a Catholic priest, Reverend Father Alphonsus Bello when bandits attacked St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church located in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State on Thursday night.

The spokesman of the command, SP Gambo Isah confirmed the incident, adding that two suspects have been arrested in connection to the crime.

He said the command is doing all it could to also ensure that another priest, Reverend Father Joe Keke who was abducted in the same attack is rescued alive.

“As for the other priest Reverend father Bello, our men found the corpse and there were no signs of gunshots on him”. Isah added.

Channels Television reports that the gunmen according to an eyewitness attacked the church compound at about 11: 00 pm and moved straight to the residences of the two priests situated inside the church compound.

He said, the deceased reverend father Bello initially resisted attempts by the gunmen to abduct him after which he was overpowered.

His remains were eventually discovered inside a farmland behind the Catechetical Training School Malumfashi in the early hours of Friday.