Rev. Fr. John Mark Cheitnum, one of the two Catholic priests abducted in Kaduna state on Friday, July 15, 2022, has been found dead.
Fr. John Mark Cheitnum and Rev. Fr Donatus Cleopa were kidnapped at Christ the King’s Catholic Church, in Lere local government area of the state on Friday, July 15, according to Leadership.
It was gathered that security operatives who were on a mission to rescue the priests found the remains of Fr. John Mark at a farm in a nearby village on Tuesday, July 19.
Chancellor of Kafanchan Catholic diocese, Revd. Fr. Emmanuel Okolo, who confirmed the sad development in a statement on Tuesday, July 19, said Rev. Donatus Cleopas escaped from his abductors, while Fr. John Mark was brutally murdered.
“Sequel to the announcement of the two kidnapped priests from our diocese, we wish to announce that Rev. Fr. Donatus Cleophas escaped from his abductors and has reunited with us,” the statement reads.
“However, it is with a deep sense of sorrow and pains that the bishop, clergy of the diocese of Kafanchan announce the gruesome murder of Rev. Fr. John Mark Cheitnum.
“Fr. John Mark, who was abducted from the rectory of Christ the King parish Yadin Garu, Lere local government area of Kaduna state, was brutally killed by his abductors on the same day of his abduction, Friday, 15th July, 2022.
“His corpse was later discovered already decomposing on Tuesday, 19th July, 2022.
“Until his demise, he was the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chairman, Jama’a local government area, as well as the coordinating chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Southern Kaduna.
“Burial is slated for Thursday, 21st July 2022, at the Catheral of St. Peter Catholic church, Kafanchan, Kaduna state. The time is 10 am.
“As we solicit for prayers for the repose of our dear brother and God’s consolation on his immediate family, we wish to humbly call on all and sundry to refrain from taking the laws into their hands.
“The diocese has declared a two day mourning for peaceful repose of his soul, and may his soul and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.”