Rev. Fr. Alphonsus Yanshim Bello, who was killed by bandits in St. Vincent Ferrer’s Catholic Church, Malumfashi, Katsina State, was buried in Kaduna on May 1, 2021.
Bello, a 33-year-old Fidei Donum priest, who was serving as Parish Priest, was killed on May 20, 2021.
Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Hasan Kukah, in his homily at the celebration of Vigil Mass for the priest, held at Our Lady of Apostles Catholic Church, Independent Way, Kaduna, on 31 May 2021, reportedly faulted the Nigerian government for laxity in ensuring security for citizens.
He criticized Nigerian politicians for their lack of commitment for democratic ideals, diversity, and good governance.
Meanwhile, the bandits have demanded a N50m ransom for Fr. Joe Keke, who was abducted during the attack on the church in Malumfashi.
The Catholic Bishop of Nigeria’s Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Kukah, reportedly disclosed this in an interview with a charity organization, “Aid to the Church in Need (ACN)”.
