Kidnapped Catholic Priest, Joseph Aketeh Bako Dies In Captivity

Rev Fr. Joseph Aketeh Bako, who was abducted eight weeks ago has died in captivity, Salemgists learnt.

It could be recalled that the clergy was kidnapped from his parish house in Kudenda community of Chikun local government area of Kaduna State-Nigeria, on 8th March, 2022.

Fr. Bako (aged 48) was kidnapped from his residence, in St John’s Catholic Church Kudenda, where he was serving as Parish Priest,.

Fr. Bako was ill before the abduction and his abductors stopped him from carrying his medication along.

The Chancellor, Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna, Rev. Fr. Christian Okewu Emmanuel, who confirmed the sad development in a statement on Wednesday May 11, said the late priest had died between April 18 and 20, 2022.

He said:

“Rev. Father, Joseph, aged 48, was kidnapped from his residence, in St. John Catholic Church Kudenda, where he was serving as Parish Priest, on the 8th March, 2022.”

“His own brother was killed there in his presence and after his brother was killed, his condition worsened and he died. We have not recovered his corpse but we have confirmed his death. People who were kidnapped together with him saw him die.”