SW News: Father John Mark Cheitnum, a Catholic priest who was abducted from Nigeria’s Kaduna state on July 15, has been found murdered. He was kidnapped along with another priest Fr Donatus Cleophas from the parish rectory of the Christ the King Catholic church located in Yadin Garu. Both the priests were serving in the Diocese of Kafanchan.

Fr Donatus was able to escape from the abductors. Kafanchan diocese published a statement on July 19, saying that the corpse of Fr Cheitnum was discovered on Tuesday.

The diocese has declared two-day mourning as a sign of respect for the slain priest. The burial is slated to take place at the Cathedral church of Kafanchan diocese on July 21.

At least 4 priests have been murdered this year alone in Nigeria, which is witnessing an alarming increase in the number of attacks on clergymen.