Terrorits have killed the kidnapped Kafanchan Catholic Priest, Rev Fr John Mark Cheitnum, who was the Director of Social Communication, Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, in Kaduna State.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in reaction to the development, described the state as a dangerous terrain for Christian leaders.

The Chancellor, Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Uchechukwu Okolo, confirmed the sad development in a statement made available to journalists yesterday.

Terrorists on Friday, July 15, 2022, kidnapped two Catholic Priests, Rev Fr. John Mark Cheitnum and Rev Fr Donatus Cleopas.

He added that the remains of the priest were discovered yesterday.

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The Chancellor said, “Sequel to the announcement of the two kidnapped priests from our diocese, it is with a deep sense of sorrow and pains that the Bishop, Clergy, Religious and Laity of the Diocese of Kafanchan announce the gruesome murder of Very Rev. Fr. John Mark Cheitnum.

Chairman of CAN in Kaduna State, Reverend John Joseph Hayab expressed sadness over the gruesome murder of Very Rev. Fr. John Mark Cheitnum, who until his death, was the CAN Chairman in Jema’a Local Government Area of the state, as well as coordinator of CAN in Southern Kaduna.

According to Rev Hayab, “Kaduna State is a dangerous place to travel around and is not safe for Christian leaders,”

He said that they are consoled that Rev. Fr. Donatus Cleophas who was kidnapped with him, escaped from his abductors.