Catholic Priest butchered to death in Niger state

A Catholic priest, Father John Gbakaan, has been killed by unknown gunmen in Niger State.

According to reports, Fr. Gbakaan alongside his brother and another priest travelled to Makurdi in Benue state last Thursday, January 14 to see his mother. The cleric was on his way back to Niger state with his brother when they were attacked by gunmen along Lambata-Lapai road. The attackers were said to have descended on the priest with machetes, hacking his body beyond recognition.

His body was found the following day tied to a tree in a bush while his vehicle, a Toyota Venza was also found in the bush.

Meanwhile, the brother of the deceased clergyman was abducted and is yet to be found. His abductors have reportedly contacted the Catholic Diocese in Minna and initially demanded N30 million as ransom but later reduced it to N5 million.

The state police command is yet to comment on this development.