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Military nabs eight suspected killers of Kaduna Catholic seminarian

The media officer said 31 weapons of various categories were recovered during the operation, which led to the arrest of the suspects.

• September 29, 2023
Operation Safe Haven (OPSH)
Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) [Credit: MiddleBelt Reporters]

The special military task force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), maintaining peace in Plateau and parts of Bauchi and Kaduna, has arrested the suspected killers of Na’aman Stephen, a Catholic seminarian.

Capt. James Oya, the media officer of OPSH, disclosed this while addressing reporters on Friday in Jos.

On September 7, bandits killed Mr Na’aman when they attacked the rectory of St Raphael Catholic Church, Fadan-Kamatan of Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The seminarian was killed when the criminals set the rectory ablaze after a failed kidnap attempt on the two priests working in the parish.

According to Mr Oya, among the arrested suspects were those who killed Dorathy Janothan in the Afana community of Zangon Kataf after they failed to have carnal knowledge of her on September 1.

”On the whole, we have eight suspects in our custody who are arrested for committing the above crimes and also running a gun manufacturing factory in the area,” he said.

The media officer said 31 weapons of various categories were recovered during the operation, which led to the arrest of the suspects.

”These weapons include three AK-47 rifles, 10 locally fabricated pistols, five locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, nine revolvers, three locally fabricated submachine guns, rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and machine tools.

”Other items recovered include one pistol holster, one military camel pouch, one police combat helmet, two masks, four identity cards, gunpowder, charms, and amulets, among others,” he said.

Mr Oya thanked residents of its area of operations for supporting OPSH and other security agencies in their bids to end all forms of criminalities.

Commander of OPSH, Maj.-Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar, at a stakeholders security meeting in Zango Kataf, vowed to arrest killers of the seminarian and other criminals terrorising the area.

(NAN)

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