Parish priest of Saint John Catholic Church, Kudenda in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Reverend Father Joseph Bako Aketeh who was kidnapped and later died in the hands of bandits has been buried at the St John’s Catholic Church in Kudenda without his corpse.

Reverend Father Joseph Bako Aketeh had been kidnapped alongside his brother, Sunday Bako at their residence inside Saint John’s Catholic Church in Kudenda.

On May 11th, 2022, the Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna announced the death of Reverend Father Joseph Aketeh Bako which he said the Reverend Father died between 18th and 20th of April, 2022 in the hands of his Kidnappers.

His brother, Sunday Bako was also reportedly killed by the bandits in his presence.

“Father Joseph is alleged to have died as a result of not having access to medical care and his medicine as he was ill before his abduction and the abductors didn’t allow him to go with his drugs. His health may have also worsened by the death of his brother who was killed by the abductors in his presence”, media earlier report reads.

According to Vanguard newspaper, the Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Reverend Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso said during the funeral that they hope one day they would be able to see even if it is his bones.

It was gathered that the funeral took place amidst lamentations by family, friends and church members who wept profusely when the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna performed the funeral rites without the corpse of the slain Reverend Father.

“This is the first time I am presiding over a funeral mass without the corpse, we hope that one day we would be able to see even if it is his bones.

“Nigerians are worn out due to weeping, our eyes could no longer produce tears. Bandits are terrorising with impunity.

“Does our government really care about our pains? Something is happening, they have failed us.

“Nigeria is a country where citizens are treated unequally because of religion and ethnicity. Vices have become a value in our country.