Kogi governor orders probe into killing of Catholic priest
Kogi State Governor Calls for Investigation into Murder of Catholic Priest
Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has ordered security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the murder of Rev. Fr. Samuel Opeyemi, a priest at St. Paul Parish in Ayetoro Gbede. The request comes after authorities discovered Rev. Opeyemi’s body, which had been abandoned by the roadside in Ajaokuta Local Government Area.
The governor’s directive was detailed in a statement issued Friday by Kingsley Fanwo, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications. Fanwo condemned the killing, describing it as a “heinous and unacceptable act.”
Governor Ododo emphasized the importance of identifying those responsible for the crime. “All security agencies are to leave no stone unturned in identifying those behind the murder and ensuring they face the full weight of the law,” the statement read.
The state government expressed condolences to the Catholic Church, the diocese, and the family of the deceased. It also reassured residents that justice would be served.
“The murder of Rev. Fr. Samuel Opeyemi is a painful tragedy that has saddened both the Government and the people of Kogi State,” the statement noted. “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 government has called on security agencies to conduct a comprehensive and professional investigation into the circumstances surrounding the priest’s death, expressing confidence in their ability to uncover the individuals involved.
