A catholic priest identified as Father Charles Igechi, was shot dead by gunmen on Wednesday while on his way back to his place of assignment at St. Michael College, Ikhueniro, Edo, where he was serving as vice principal of the college.
According to reports the deceased was ordained a priest on 13 August last year.
The incident comes almost a year after two abducted priests, Reverend Father Udo Peter of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Uromi and Reverend Father Philemon Oboh of St. Joseph Retreat Center, Ugboha in Esan South East Local Government Area were killed in the same state.
Although the police authorities are yet to make any statement on the incident, the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City has confirmed the killing.
The Catholic Archbishop of Benin City, Augustine Akubeze, denounced the incident in a notice on Thursday to the priests and members of the archdiocese.
Bishop Akuebeze said the slain priest’s remains were found by Boundary Street in Ikpoba Hill, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, and that the incident has been reported to the “appropriate security agency.”
“They (the security agencies) are working on the case. We pray that the perpetrators of this evil act will be brought to the face of justice,” the archbishop said in the notice while calling for prayers for the repose of the soul of the slain priest.
“I entrust you all to the maternal intercession of our Lady of Sorrow. May God continue to guide 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,” the archbishop added.
