Abducted Catholic Priest Shot Dead

Rev. Fr. Christopher Odia, who was kidnapped at his residence in Ikabigbo community, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, on Sunday morning, has been killed.

He was killed less than 24 hours after another priest was murdered on his farmland in Kaduna.  mass.

Daily Trust had reported how gunmen invaded Odia’s residence while he was preparing for mass on Sunday morning.

Confirming his death, Fr. Peter Egielewa, Director of Social Communications Catholic Diocese of Auchi, said Odia was 41 years old.

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“With heavy hearts but with total submission to the will of God, we announce the death of our priest Rev. Fr. Christopher Odia, who was killed by his abductors after being kidnapped this morning 26th June 2022 at about 6.30am in his rectory while coming out to go for Sunday Mass at St. Michael Catholic Church Ikabigbo, Uzairue, Edo State,” he said.

Until his death, Fr Odia was the Administrator of St Michael Catholic Church, Ikabigbo and also the Principal of St. Philip Catholic Secondary School Jattu.

Daily Trust gathered that the priest was killed alongside a hunter,  Nurudeen Umosor. While the corpse of the priest was found by hunters, Nurudeen fell to the kidnappers’ bullets during the mission.

This newspaper had reported how hunters, vigilantes and security operatives combed the forest in search of the victim.