By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The Special Military Task Force in Plateau State code named Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), has paraded two killers of a Catholic Priest and two rapists who killed a female firewood fetcher in Southern Kaduna while trying to have their way with her.
In all, eight suspects who committed various crimes were paraded at the headquarters of the Military Task Force in Jos on Friday, our correspondent reports.
Speaking to newsmen during the briefing, Spokesman of the Task Force Capt. James Oya, said the two suspects who killed the Catholic priest also burnt the Church, Saint Raphael Catholic Church at Fadan Kamantan village, Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State on 7 September 2023.
Also, he said those who murdered Mrs Dorathy Jonathan on September 1, 2023 while fetching firewood at Afana village of Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State are also still in their custody.
According to him: “The suspects involved in the attack and burning of Saint Raphael Catholic Church which led to the death of a seminarian, Naanman Stephen Ngophe are also in our custody, as well as the suspects who raped and murdered Mrs. Dorathy Jonathan are also here with us”.
Oya gave the names of the suspects as Hassan Mato and Ahmed Khalifa for those who murdered the Catholic Priest while Lot Dauda and Abubakar Mato are names of those who killed and raped late Mrs Jonathan.
Narrating how the suspects were arrested, he said: “Following intelligence gathered, the suspects Hassan Mato also known as Hamsy and Ahmed Khalifa were arrested at Kamaru market in Kaura and Kachia LGAs of Kaduna State.
“The suspects during preliminary investigation confessed to have committed the act. Items recovered from them include 2 locally fabricated guns, 3 fragmented jackets, 1 Desert boot, 2 Nigeria Police face caps, 1 Army sweater and a head-warmer.
On those who murdered and raped Mrs Jonathan, he said: “On credible information Dauda was immediately arrested following a manhunt operation launched by the troops. His accomplice Abubakar Mato who was at large was later arrested.
“During preliminary interrogation, the suspects confessed to have committed the offence. They narrated that they approached Mrs Jonathan while working on farmland and wanted to get intimate forcefully with her.
“The victim put up a struggle with the suspects leading to her gruesome murder”, Oya said.
He added that the Commander of the Task Force who also doubles as the General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar is committed to rid the general areas of his operation of crime and criminality.
