Unknown gunmen on Sunday, reportedly kidnapped and killed the Parish Priest of St. Michael Catholic Church, Ikhabigbo, in Etsako West’s local government area of Edo State.
It was gathered that Reverend Father Christopher Odia was kidnapped along Auchi-Agenebode Road on his way to officiate a Mass at Ugbhenor in Etsako West local government area of Edo State.
According to report, the priest had just finished officiating the first mass at Okhabigbo and was on his way to another Mass at Ugbhenor when gunmen ambushed him near Oghio River around 08:15am on Sunday, June 26th 2022
Following his abduction Rev. Fr. Christopher Odia, was later killed by his abductors.
His death was made known in a statement signed by the Director of Social Communications
Catholic Diocese of Auchi Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa.
Until his kidnap and unfortunate death, the forty one year old Rev. Fr. Odia was the Administrator of St Michael Catholic Church, Ikabigbo and also the Principal of St. Philip Catholic Secondary School Jattu.
Meanwhile, following the kidnap and killing of the parish priest of St Michael Catholic church, lkhabigbo , Etsako West local government area of Edo state , Rev Father Christopher Odia by his abductors, Edo State Police Command says the command will fish out those responsible and make them to face justice
This is contained in a statement signed by the State Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Jennifer Iwegbu
According to the statement Police Tactical Teams, Jattu Divisional Police operatives and the local Vigilante team, led by the Divisional Police Officer, were dispatched to the forest immediately after it received information about the incident.
Unfortunately the kidnapped Rev Father Odia was killed by his abductors along with a hunter identified as Mr Nurudeen while the Superior fire power of the Police personnel who went on the trail of the kidnappers decimated one of them as other gang members escaped with various gun shot injuries
In the meantime, Edo State Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro has commiserated with the Catholic community in Edo state and Nigeria, while urging the general public to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses as security measures have been put in place to ensure the arrest of the fleeing gang members.
He further encouraged the good people of Edo state not to relent in providing the police with prompt and useful information.