Catholic Priest Found Dead in Kogi After Machete Attack as Police, Govt Launch Investigations

The Catholic Diocese of Lokoja and the Kogi State community are in mourning following the tragic death of Rev. Fr. Samuel Opeyemi Oyetoro, a Catholic priest whose lifeless body was found by the roadside along Church Road in Ajaokuta, Kogi State. The cleric, who served at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Egbe and was also associated with St. Paul Parish, Ayetoro Gbede, was reportedly attacked by yet-to-be-identified assailants on July 29, 2026. Initial reports indicated that the priest was stabbed multiple times, but police later confirmed that he had sustained severe machete cuts to the head. According to a source, Fr. Oyetoro was on relief duty to the steel town of Ajaokuta when his life was cut short. A native of Ayetoro in Ijumu Local Government Area, he was born in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State. The police received a report at about 9:30 a.m. on July 29 that the body of an unidentified male had been discovered along the roadside in Ajaokuta. Officers who responded to the scene observed the severe injuries, evacuated the body to the ASCL Hospital, where a medical doctor confirmed the priest dead, and then deposited the remains at a mortuary for an autopsy.

In an obituary issued by its Chancery Office on July 29, 2026, the Catholic Diocese of Lokoja announced the priest’s passing, describing the loss with deep sorrow while expressing hope in the resurrection. “It is with profound sorrow and in the hope of the resurrection that the Catholic Diocese of Lokoja announces the passing of our beloved priest, Fr. Samuel Opeyemi Oyetoro, who departed this life on Wednesday, 29th July 2026,” the Diocese said. The Church described the late priest as a devoted servant of God whose life was marked by dedication to the ministry. “As we mourn the loss of our dear brother and priest, we commend his soul to the infinite mercy of God, whom he served with dedication and love,” the statement read. The Diocese urged priests, religious faithful and members of the laity to remember the deceased in their prayers and Holy Masses while also seeking divine comfort for his family and the Lokoja Diocese. “We kindly request all priests, religious and laity to pray for the peaceful repose of his soul during their Holy Masses and personal prayers and to pray for strength and consolation for his aged parents, siblings, parishioners and the entire Diocese of Lokoja during this time of grief,” it said. The obituary ended with a prayer for the repose of the late priest’s soul: “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the soul of Rev. Fr. Samuel Opeyemi Oyetoro and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”

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Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Police Command’s spokesperson, ASP Oyiza Afusat, stated that the killing occurred on July 29, 2026, and that the case is under active investigation. “On 29th July 2026, at about 9:30 a.m., the police received information that the lifeless body of an unidentified male was found by the roadside along Church Road, Ajaokuta,” she said. “Operatives promptly mobilised to the scene, where it was observed that the deceased had 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,” she added. The deceased was later identified as Rev. Fr. Samuel Opeyemi of St. Paul Parish, Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu LGA, Kogi State. The police confirmed that efforts are ongoing to apprehend those responsible, and upon the conclusion of preliminary investigation, the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation. “We will provide further updates as the investigation progresses,” ASP Afusat added.

The Kogi State Government has also stepped in, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo directing security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation and ensure that the perpetrators face justice. The directive was announced in a statement by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, who described the killing as a “heinous and unacceptable act”. “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,” the statement read. Fanwo said the government had absolute confidence in the capacity of security agencies to unravel the incident and assured that it would provide all necessary support to ensure justice is served. He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information, while cautioning against spreading rumours capable of undermining the investigation. The government reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of lives and property and pledged to continue to strengthen security across the state.

The tragic death of Rev. Fr. Oyetoro has thrown the Catholic community and many residents of Kogi State into mourning. The incident has prompted calls for a thorough investigation to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and prosecuted. As investigations continue, the motive behind the killing remains unknown. Authorities have yet to release a detailed official account of the incident, while the search for those responsible intensifies. The Catholic Diocese of Lokoja has called on all faithful to remember the slain priest in their prayers and Holy Masses during this period of grief.

Catholic Priest Found Dead in Kogi After Machete Attack as Police, Govt Launch Investigations

Vehicle allegedly driven by drunk soldier kills two police inspectors

Two police inspectors attached to the Kawo Police Division in Kaduna State have died after a Toyota Hilux vehicle allegedly driven by a soldier struck them near the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Junction in Kaduna metropolis.

The fatal incident reportedly occurred on Thursday in the Kawo area while the officers were crossing the road as pedestrians.

The deceased officers were identified as Inspector Tanko Musa and Inspector Ajubi Onah.

According to sources familiar with the incident, the Toyota Hilux was reportedly travelling at high speed when it rammed into the two officers at the busy junction.

A source described the incident as a “black moment” for the Kawo Police Division and alleged that the vehicle was driven by a soldier who was under the influence of alcohol.

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However, the allegation that the driver was intoxicated had not been independently confirmed as of the time of filing this report. No official medical assessment, police investigation report or statement from military authorities had been released to establish the claim.

A video said to have been recorded shortly after the crash showed the bodies of the two police officers on the road as residents and sympathisers gathered at the scene.

The incident has reportedly caused grief among officers and personnel attached to the Kawo Police Division.

As of the latest available information, there was no official confirmation that the driver had been arrested or taken into custody.

The identity of the alleged driver, the military unit involved and other circumstances surrounding the crash were also not immediately available.

Neither the Kaduna State Police Command nor the Nigerian Army had issued an official statement on the incident at the time of publication.

The circumstances surrounding the fatal crash are expected to be investigated to establish the identity of the driver, the speed of the vehicle and whether any traffic or road-safety regulations were violated.

Investigators may also examine claims concerning the driver’s condition at the time of the incident and determine whether any other factors contributed to the crash.

The incident has renewed concerns about road safety, responsible driving and the need for thorough and transparent investigations into fatal accidents involving security personnel or official vehicles.

Further updates are expected from the police, military authorities or other relevant agencies as investigations continue.

Vehicle allegedly driven by drunk soldier kills two police inspectors

Bomb Explosion Kills Eight Soldiers Escorting Military Supplies in Borno

Maiduguri — At least eight Nigerian soldiers were killed when a military convoy escorting logistics supplies hit an improvised explosive device (IED) allegedly planted by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents in Borno State.

The deadly explosion reportedly occurred on Thursday along the Maiduguri–Dikwa road as troops attached to the 24 Task Force Brigade were returning to their base in Dikwa after successfully escorting military supplies from Maiduguri.

According to security sources, one of the vehicles in the convoy struck the buried explosive, triggering a powerful blast that destroyed the vehicle and killed about eight soldiers on the spot. Several other personnel were also reportedly injured and evacuated for medical treatment.

Although the Nigerian Army has yet to officially confirm the casualty figure, military sources described the attack as one of the latest in a series of insurgent assaults targeting security forces operating in the North-East.

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The attackers are believed to be members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), an extremist group that has intensified the use of roadside bombs and ambushes against military convoys despite sustained counter-insurgency operations by Nigerian troops.

The Maiduguri–Dikwa axis remains one of the most vulnerable routes in Borno State, with insurgents frequently planting improvised explosive devices to disrupt military movements and logistics operations.

Following the explosion, additional troops were reportedly deployed to the area to secure the route, evacuate casualties and recover the damaged military vehicle. Security patrols were also intensified to prevent further attacks.

The latest incident underscores the persistent security challenges confronting the Nigerian military in the North-East, where troops continue to battle insurgent groups seeking to regain operational strength despite years of sustained offensives by government forces.

As of the time of filing this report, military authorities had not released an official statement on the incident or confirmed the number of casualties. However, security operations were said to be ongoing in the area as efforts continued to track down those responsible for the attack.

Bomb Explosion Kills Eight Soldiers Escorting Military Supplies in Borno