Great Shock as priest returning from Pastoral duties, shot dead in Nigeria.
Great Shock as priest returning from Pastoral duties, shot dead in Nigeria.
Fr. Charles Onomhoale Igechi, a Catholic Priest, who was returning from pastoral duties in Nigeria’s Benin City Archdiocese on Wednesday, June 7 was shot dead, the Local Ordinary has said.
In a statement shared to the press on Thursday, June 8, Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze expresses “great shock” following the death of the Priest who was to mark his first Priestly anniversary in August this year.
Archbishop Akubeze says, “With great shock we received the news this morning that he was shot on his way back to his place of assignment, on the 7th of June, 2023 and his remains were found by Boundary Street in Ikpoba Hill, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, Edo State.”
“The appropriate security agency has been informed and they are presently working on the case,” he further says, and adds, “We pray that the perpetrators of this evil act will be brought to the face of justice.”
The Nigerian Archbishop appeals for prayers for the soul of Fr. Onomhoale, who was ordained a Priest on 13 August 2022, saying, “We therefore wish to solicit for your prayers for the happy repose of his soul.”
There have been several Masses celebrated for the peaceful repose of Rev. Fr. Charles Onomhoale Igechi, especially on June 9, 2023 at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre’s Chapel at 10:00am and other masses since his body was found.
“I entrust you all to the maternal intercession of our Lady of Sorrow,” the Local Ordinary of Benin City Archdiocese says in his June 8 statement on the death of Fr. Onomhoale, who was serving as the Vice Principal of St. Michael College, Ikhueniro.
He condoles, “May God continue to guide and protect all the faithful in the Archdiocese of Benin City and may the soul of Rev. Fr. Charles Igechi find peace and tranquility in the loving embrace of our risen Saviour. Amen.”
The June 7 murder of Fr. Onomhoale is the latest in a series of attacks that have targeted members of the Clergy in Africa’s most populous nation.
Tags: Benin city Archdiocese.