Murder of Priest “Silvester Okchuoko” in Nigeria
Priest “Silvester Okchuoko” was kidnapped and subsequently murdered by unknown individuals in Nigeria.
“Silvester Okchuoko,” a 45-year-old priest at the Catholic Church of “Saint Mary” in “Kaura” district in Nigeria, was kidnapped on Tuesday night, March 4, in Kaduna State, Nigeria, and subsequently murdered.
According to “Christian Daily International,” while he was preparing for the “Ash Wednesday” ceremony and intended to place ashes on the foreheads of local residents to remind them that “they are from dust and return to dust,” he was abducted from his home by unknown assailants around 9 p.m. on Tuesday night and subsequently murdered. His body was discovered one day after his death.
Nigeria is one of the most dangerous countries where radical Muslims reside, and the aforementioned region is known for the activities of “Islamic Fulani terrorist groups” which pose a severe threat to Christians. This country has been listed as one of the most dangerous nations for Christians in the Open Doors Christian organization’s index for 2025.
According to this Christian organization’s report, out of 4,476 Christians killed worldwide, 3,100 of them were in Nigeria. The “Open Doors” organization stated in its report: “The level of violence against Christians in the country has reached the highest possible degree.”
The Fulani terrorist group has repeatedly attacked villages in the north-central regions of Nigeria (where more Christians live) and murdered hundreds of people, the majority of whom are Christians. The “Boko Haram” and “Islamic State branch” groups are also active in West Africa in the northern states of this country, where even the control of the federal government is very weak. Many Christians in these areas fall victim to attacks, sexual violence, and targeted killings by these extremist groups.
The global watchdog “Open Doors” stated in its reports: “This violence has extended to southern states and a new jihadist terrorist group named “Lakurawa” has emerged in the northwest. This group is equipped with advanced weapons and has a radical Islamist agenda. Lakurawa is affiliated with the expansionist al-Qaeda branch Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin, which originated in Mali.”
Priest “Jacob Shant,” Archbishop of Kafanchan, in a statement condemning this brutal crime, announced that the murder of this young priest has bereaved the church. Christian leaders in Nigeria also believe that attacks by radical Muslims on Christians in Nigeria stem from their efforts to forcibly seize Christian lands and impose Islam on them.
