A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Samuel Opeyemi Oyetoro, was found dead by the roadside in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, after he was reportedly attacked by yet-to-be-identified assailants.
Rev. Fr. Oyetoro, a native of Ayetoro in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, served as a priest at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Egbe.
According to reports, Rev. Fr. Oyetoro was reportedly stabbed multiple times, and his lifeless body was later discovered by the roadside in Ajaokuta.
The tragic death of the priest has thrown the Catholic community and many residents of Kogi State into mourning.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kogi State Police Command, ASP Afusat Oyiza Salihu, while confirming the incident on Friday, said:
“On 29th July 2026, at about 9:30am, the Police received information that the lifeless body of an unidentified male was found by the roadside along Church Road, Ajaokuta.
“Operatives promptly mobilised to the scene, where it was observed that the deceased had sustained severe machete cuts to the head. The body was evacuated to the ASCL Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor and was thereafter deposited at the mortuary for an autopsy.
“The deceased was later identified as Rev. Fr. Samuel Opeyemi of St. Paul Parish, Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu LGA, Kogi State.
“The case is currently under investigation, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend those responsible. Upon the conclusion of the preliminary investigation, the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
“We will provide further updates as the investigation progresses.”