Troops from Sector 7 of Operation SAFE HAVEN have apprehended two individuals involved in the killing of Reverend Father Sylvester Okechukwu, the parish priest of St. Mary Catholic Church in Tachira village, Kaura Local Government Area, Kaduna State. The priest, who was a member of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, was kidnapped and murdered on March 4, 2025.
Media Information Officer for Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Wednesday, March 25.
According to Major Zhakom, the kidnapping was orchestrated by one of the suspects, Douglas Henry, who lived in the same house as the slain priest. The suspects were arrested on March 25, 2025, following a raid on the hideout of the prime suspect, Pate Yau, located in the Ruga settlement of Warsa-Piti village in Lere LGA, Kaduna State.
During initial questioning, Pate Yau, 33, admitted to being hired by Douglas Henry, who lived with the priest, to carry out the kidnapping. Troops later arrested Douglas Henry at Agwan Sariki Tachira in Kaura LGA.
The suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further interrogation.
