The decomposing body of one of the two Catholic priests kidnapped in Kaduna State was found on Tuesday.
WikkiTimes reported how the two priests — Rev. Fr. John Mark Chietnum and Rev. Fr. Donatus Cleopas — were kidnapped by gunmen on Friday at the rectory of Christ the King Catholic Church, Yadin Garu in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna while they were on an assignment.
READ: Gunmen Kidnap 2 Pastors In Kaduna
According to a statement by the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Rev. Fr Emmanuel Uchechukwu Okolo, Chietnum was killed while Cleopas fled from the kidnappers’ den.
The body of the priest was discovered and the priest was said to have been murdered on the same day he was kidnapped, WikkiTimes learnt.
“As we solicit for prayer for the repose of our dear brother and Priest and God’s consolation to his immediate family, we wish to call on all and sundry to refrain from taking the law into their hands. The Diocese declared a two day mourning for peaceful repose of his soul,” the statement read.
The burial is slated for 10am on Thursday at the Cathedral of St. Peter Kafanchan.
Rev Chietnum was until his death, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jema’a Local Government Area and also the coordinating CAN chairman, Southern Kaduna.