U.S. Mission condemns brutal murder of Kaduna Catholic priest Sylvester

The American mission condoled with the “family, congregation, and community of Father Okechukwu, who have suffered an immeasurable loss.”

ADEFEMOLA AKINTADE • March 7, 2025

Murdered clergyman Rev. Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu

The United States Mission has condemned the “brutal and senseless killing” of Kaduna-based Catholic priest Reverend Father Sylvester Okechukwu and called on the Nigerian government to find his killers.

Mr Okechukwu was abducted on Tuesday night and was killed the next day, specifically on Ash Wednesday.

His death on a significant holy day, Ash Wednesday, without a ransom demand has renewed religious tensions in the Muslim-dominated state.

The American mission released a statement condemning the heinous act.

“The U.S. Mission is distressed by the brutal and senseless killing of Reverend Father Sylvester Okechukwu in Kaduna State, Nigeria,” the diplomatic mission said on Friday. “We strongly condemn this horrific act of violence.”

The American mission condoled with the “family, congregation, and community of Father Okechukwu, who have suffered an immeasurable loss.”

The U.S. asked the Nigerian authorities to “bring the perpetrators to justice.”

The deceased clergy pastored St Mary Catholic Church, Tachira, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

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