The Kogi State Government has condemned the killing of a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Samuel Opeyemi, whose body was discovered by the roadside along Church Road in Ajaokuta.
Until his death, the cleric served at St. Paul Parish in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of the state.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer for the state command, ASP Afusat Salihu, revealed that police operatives mobilized to the scene after receiving a tip-off about an unidentified body.
“Operatives promptly mobilized to the scene, where it was observed that the deceased sustained severe machete cuts to the head. The body was evacuated to the ASCL Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor, and was thereafter deposited at the mortuary for autopsy,” Salihu said.
The police spokesperson added that the case is under investigation, with efforts ongoing to arrest the perpetrators before transferring the file to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
Reacting to the incident, the Kogi State Government described the murder as a barbaric and unacceptable act, disclosing that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed security agencies to hunt down the killers.
In a statement issued in Lokoja on Friday, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, extended the state’s condolences to the Catholic Church and the family of the deceased.
“The murder of Rev. Fr. Samuel Opeyemi is a painful tragedy that has saddened the government and the people of Kogi State. We condemn this barbaric act in the strongest possible terms and assure the Church and the family of the deceased that the perpetrators will not escape justice,” Fanwo said.
Fanwo added that the government retains full confidence in the security forces to unravel the circumstances surrounding the July 29 incident and bring the culprits to book.
