A Catholic priest Rev. Fr. Christopher Odia, who was abducted in Ikabigbo Community, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, has been killed.
Spokesman of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi in Edo North Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa announced this in a statement on Sunday evening.
Odia, according to the statement, was kidnapped on Sunday morning. Catholic priests have in recent times become the target of abductors.
Egielewa said: “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 on June 26, 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.
“Until his death, Rev. Fr. Odia was the Administrator of St. Michael Catholic Church, Ikabigbo, and also the Principal of St. Philip Catholic Secondary School, Jattu. He was aged 41. May his soul rest in peace.”
The diocese added that funeral arrangements would be announced later.
