Abuja (Agenzia Fides) – This time the perpetrators did not limit themselves to kidnapping a priest, but committed murder. The victim, Father Charles Onomhoale Igechi, a priest of the Archdiocese of Benin City in southern Nigeria, was killed by gunmen along Agbor Road in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area (Edo State) on June 7.
“It is with great dismay that we received the news this morning that Father Charles Onomhoale Igechi was shot dead on June 7th on his way back to his parish and that his remains were found on Boundary Street in Ikpoba Hill, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, Edo State”, Archbishop Augustine Akubeze of Benin City said in an official statement.
The murdered priest had recently been ordained, as Archbishop Akubeze recalls: “Father Charles Onomhoale Igechi, who was ordained a priest on August 13, 2022, was Vice Principal of St. Michael College, Ikhueniro”.
“The responsible security authority has been informed and is currently working on the case,” the Archbishop confirmed. “We pray that the perpetrators of this crime will be brought to justice.”
Archbishop Akubeze meanwhile announced a funeral service for Father Igechi on June 9, 2023, in the chapel of the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre.
At least three kidnappings of priests have been reported in other southern and south-eastern states of Nigeria in the last two months (see Fides, 5/6/2023). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 9/6/2023) Published with permission.
