Gunmen have killed another Catholic priest in charge of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Ikabigbo, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, Rev. Fr Christopher Odia.
Reports say Odia was abducted from his residence by the armed men while he prepared for the Sunday mass.
A source said the kidnappers shot and injured one of the community boys searching for the reverend father.
The traditional ruler of the community, Bramah Alegeh, who confirmed the incident, said the Army, in collaboration with local vigilantes, combed the bush to ensure the release of the cleric.
The Director of Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, also confirmed the killing, saying, “With heavy hearts but with total submission to the will` of God, we announce the death of our priest Rev. Fr. Christopher Odia, who was killed by his abductors after being kidnapped this morning, June 26, 2022, around 6.30am in his rectory while coming out to go for Sunday mass at St. Michael Catholic Church Ikabigbo, Uzairue, Edo State.”
In a related development, suspected terrorists have killed a Kaduna State-based Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Vitus Borogo.
Fr. Borogo was murdered on Saturday at the Prison Farm, Kujama, along the Kaduna-Kachia Road.
The Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna, Rev. Fr. Christian Emmanuel, in a statement, said the 50-year-old was the chaplain of the Catholic community in Kaduna State.
“It is with a heavy heart, but with total submission to the will of God that we announce the death of Rev. Fr. Vitus Borogo, which sad event took place today (Saturday), at Prison Farm, Kujama, along Kaduna-Kachia road, after a raid on the farm by terrorists,” he stated.
