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