Fr John Adey was from the Diocese of Otukpo and Parish Priest of Catholic Church, Okpoga, when he was kidnapped by four gunmen in 2016.
He was killed and his body was discovered in a nearby farm.
According to local reports, after the four kidnappers were arrested, two later died in custody. It is not clear what the circumstances surrounding their deaths were.
Reacting to the surviving killers being found guilty and sentenced to death, Assistant Commissioners of Police Abba Kyari, who led the Intelligence Response Team that arrested the kidnappers, celebrated the sentencing.
Writing on a Facebook post, Kyari said: "Glory be to God Almighty, the kidnappers and killers of Rev Fr John Adeyi of Otukpo Diocese Benue State, whom we arrested in 2016 after a serious manhunt in Bauchi, Benue and
Enugu states have been convicted and sentenced to death by hanging by the High Court in Makurdi, Benue State.
"Justice has been delivered to the kidnappers and killers of the innocent man."
The family of Fr Adey also praised the judgement and said in a statement: "It is gratifying... to know that the culprits did not go unpunished. May the soul of Fr Adeyi continue to rest in perfect peace with his creator."
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