Gunmen kill Catholic Priest in Edo State

Gunmen in Edo State have fatally shot Rev. Fr. Charles Onomhoale Igechi, a priest serving under the Archdiocese of Benin City.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, along the Agbor Road Bypass area in the Ikhueniro axis of Benin, while the priest was en route to his place of assignment.

Rev. Fr. Igechi, who had been ordained on August 13, 2022, held the position of Vice Principal at St. Michael College, Ikhueniro, prior to his untimely death.

A Reverend father from the Benin Archdiocese, who verified the incident, revealed that the priest was alone when he was attacked and killed by the unidentified gunmen. Upon discovery, his body displayed visible bullet wounds.

Catholic Archbishop Augustine Akubeze of Benin City, in a statement released on Thursday, June 8, confirmed the tragic news. He informed that the incident had been reported to the police and expressed hope that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

The statement further disclosed that the lifeless body of the deceased priest was found in the Ikpoba Hill area of Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, Edo State.

“With deep sadness and sorrow in our hearts, we wish to inform you of the death of one of our priests in the Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Charles Onomhoale Igechi, who was ordained on the 13 of August 2022 and who until his death was the Vice Principal of St. Michael College, Ikhueniro,” the statement read.

“With great shock, we received the news this morning that he was shot on his way back to his place of assignment, on the 7th of June, 2023 and his remains were found by Boundary Street in Ikpoba Hill, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, Edo State.

“We, therefore, wish to solicit your prayers for the happy repose of his soul. I kindly wish to use this medium to inform all priests that there shall be a Mass for the peaceful repose of Rev. Fr. Charlies Onomhoale Igechi, on June 9, 2023, at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre’s Chapel at 10:00 am.

“I entrust you all to the maternal intercession of our Lady of Sorrow. May God continue to guide and protect all the faithful in the Archdiocese of Benin City and may the soul of Rev. Fr. Charles Igechi find peace and tranquillity in the loving embrace of our risen Saviour. Amen.”