Bandits have reportedly ambushed and killed a Catholic priest at Kufai Amadu in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State , setting him and his vehicle ablaze .
The cleric was said to be on his way to Takum for a peace meeting with his fellow clergymen on how to resolve the lingering Tiv , Jukun crisis when he was attacked and killed .


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The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Jalingo , The Most Rev . Charles Hammawa on Thursday confirmed the killing of Rev. Fr . David Tanko by yet -to- be - identified persons in Taraba .
Hammawa in a telephone interview with our correspondent in Jalingo condemned the killing of the priest , describing his brutal killing as shocking .



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“We received the news of his death with shock . This is sad . The diocese is mourning .
“We have been preaching peace and making efforts to bring both parties in the crisis in the area to a roundtable discussion .
“For a priest who has been preaching peace to be killed in this most gruesome manner is pathetic , to say the least . A priest belongs to all .
“For now, we are not pointing accusing finger at any group . The Police authority in the state have promised me that they are investigating the case , we pray that the perpetrators be brought to justice .

“Our basic concern now is to give him a befitting burial. We don ’t want any group to go on reprisal . Going on reprisal will only worsen the situation,” he said .
Hammawa announced that wake in honour of the priest will hold on Monday , while burial will take place on Tuesday next week at the Diocesean cemetery in Jalingo .



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Our correspondent gathered that Rev. Fr . Tanko who was until his death a serving priest of St . Peter’s Catholic Parish Amadu was killed between Kasuan Haske and Tortsee on his way to Amadu from Takum .




Source: Punch