The suspected killers of a reverend father in Kaduna State, Pate Ya’u and Douglas Henry, have explained why they killed their victim, Sylvester Okechukwu.
The suspects gave their reasons when they were paraded on Thursday at the headquarters of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) in Jos.
Daily Trust had, on Wednesday, reported how the reverend father was first abducted and eventually killed by his abductors in Tachira village of Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
They were arrested during a raid on a prime suspects’ hideout located at a Ruga settlement in Warsa -Piti village in Lere LGA of Kaduna State.
The operatives said Pate Ya’u was contracted alongside others by Henry, who was living in the same house with the slain priest.
Reacting on their arrest, Douglas said he participated in the crime because he was desperate to get money.
He said “It was a temptation. When the incident happened, I regretted what I have done seriously. I am looking for money and that was what prompted me. Initially, I told my collaborators that I only needed money but not killing him. What I didn’t expect to happen was what they did. Let the law take its course.’’
For Ya’u, he was contracted to kidnap the victim after he was promised to be given a reward that was not disclosed, explaining that “When we kidnapped him, some of us took him to our den. They said they will give me my share of the money. I discussed with Douglas about the money but I was not given up to this moment.’’
Spokesman of Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major Samson Zhakom, however, appreciated the general public for supporting the troops with actionable information, adding that as a reputable security formation, OPSH is committed to ensuring peace and wellbeing of law-abiding citizens.
