Some gunmen suspected to be bandits attacked St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, Malunfashi, Katsina State and killed a priest, Rev. Fr. Alphonsus Yashim Bello. 

They stormed the church at 11 pm on Thursday, abducted the slain priest who initially resisted arrest and another priest Rev. Fr Joe keke.

The lifeless body of Fr. Alphonsus Bello was found abandoned in the farmland behind the Catechetical Training School, Malunfashi on Friday morning. 

The Communications Director, Diocese of Sokoto, Fr Chris Omotosho, confirmed the tragic incident in a statement on Friday. 

“Last night (20/05/2021) one of our parishes – St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church Malunfashi, Katsina state – was attacked by unknown gunmen. 2 priests were kidnapped – *Frs Joe Keke & Alphonsus Bello*. Fr Joe Keke the former parish priest, now in residence is in his late 70s. Fr Alphonsus Bello (parish priest) is in his 30s,” the statement reads.

“This morning the body of Fr Alphonsus was found (lifeless) in the farmland behind the Catechetical Training School, Malunfashi. The whereabouts of Fr. Joe Keke is still unknown. No contact has been made thus far.”