3/13/2025 Nigeria (International Christian Concern) — After 9 p.m. on March 4, Muslim extremists abducted the Rev. Father Sylvester Okechukwu from his home in Kaduna state. His body was found the following day.
Okechukwu served as the pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church in Tachira, Kaura County, within the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan. The diocese confirmed his death and called for an investigation into the killing.
The U.S. Mission In Nigeria condemned the murder, describing it as an act of violence. In a statement on its official X account, the mission extended condolences to the priest’s family, congregation, and community.
“We strongly condemn this horrific act of violence,” the statement read. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family, congregation, and community of Father Okechukwu, who have suffered an immeasurable loss.”
Okechukwu’s death is just the latest instance where Islamic extremists have targeted Christian clergy in Nigeria. Data from organizations monitoring religious violence indicates that Christian priests and pastors are being targeted more frequently.
According to the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), more than 50 pastors and priests were abducted in Nigeria in 2023 and at least 23 Christian leaders were killed.
The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) has documented attacks on churches and clergy, noting that Christian leaders have been specifically targeted in rural communities where the presence of security forces is limited.
Kaduna state, where Okechukwu was killed, has experienced repeated attacks on Christian communities. In July 2022, gunmen abducted and later killed two priests, Reverend Fathers John Cheitnum and Donatus Cleopas, in Lere County. Cheitnum was found dead days after his abduction, while Cleopas was released.
In January 2023, Reverend Father Isaac Achi was burned to death when assailants set fire to his parish residence in Niger state. His assistant managed to escape with gunshot wounds.
Religious violence in Nigeria has been driven by various factors, including land disputes, terrorism, and criminal activities. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has repeatedly called on the government to take stronger action against those responsible for these attacks.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has also urged security agencies to enhance protection for clergy members, particularly in areas where kidnappings are frequent. According to CAN, at least 30 priests were abducted in 2022, with some killed and others released after ransom payments.
“The Nigerian authorities must urgently and thoroughly investigate the killing of Reverend Father Sylvester Okechukwu, who served at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tachira, Kaura County, Kaduna state,” CAN said.
Amnesty International has condemned the silent slaughter of the Catholic priest, expressing concern about the escalating insecurity in Southern Kaduna, where there are frequent killings and abductions of persons. The organization’s statement also said the alarming inability of authorities to halt these acts and bring suspected perpetrators to justice, posing a significant threat to the right to life.
For the past decade, violent attacks by armed groups in Southern Kaduna have persisted, and the authorities have failed to end the violence or hold the perpetrators accountable. The Nigerian government has condemned attacks on religious leaders, but arrests and prosecutions remain rare. Authorities have announced measures to improve security, including deploying more troops to affected areas, but local communities continue to report attacks.
Some perpetrators have been identified as armed bandits or extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Others are Islamic Fulani Ethnic Militias who have killed more than 60,000 Christians since 2021, according to a report “Silent Slaughter” by the International Committee On Nigeria (ICON), those Victims’ families and church leaders have called for greater accountability and protection.
The Fulani tribe, which comprises around 8 million of Nigeria’s 212 million people, is influential in various sectors, including government and the military. Former President Mahamadu Buhari, who served from 2015 to 2023, is a prominent figure with a Fulani background.
As investigations into Okechukwu’s killing continue, religious organizations and advocacy groups are pushing for stronger security measures and justice for those affected.
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