Catholic Priest Found Dead In Kogi As Police Open Investigation

A Catholic priest serving in Kogi State has been found dead in Ajaokuta, and the police say they have opened an investigation into the killing.

Punch identified the priest as Rev. Fr. Samuel Oyetoro, while Daily Trust reported the name as Rev. Fr. Samuel Opeyemi. Both reports said he served at St. Paul Parish, Ayetoro Gbede, in Ijumu Local Government Area.

Police said the body was found by the roadside along Church Road in Ajaokuta with severe machete cuts to the head. It was taken to ASCL Hospital, where a doctor confirmed him dead, before being deposited in the mortuary for autopsy.

The Kogi State Police Command said efforts were ongoing to arrest those responsible. Punch reported that the command planned to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department after preliminary inquiries.

Daily Trust reported that residents discovered the body and that the circumstances surrounding the killing remained unclear. The death has thrown the Catholic community and residents of the area into mourning.

Sources: Punch, Daily Trust