A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Samuel Opeyemi of St. Paul Parish, Ayetoro Gbede, was found dead along Church Road in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, with multiple machete wounds.

Residents discovered the cleric’s body on Friday morning, while the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear.

“His assailants must have attacked him several times with machetes. We noticed multiple cuts on his body. The circumstances surrounding his killing, including the identity of his attackers, are yet to be established,” a source in the Catholic Church in Ajaokuta said.

The slain cleric was born in Egbe, Yagba land, and was a native of Ayetoro in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

His death has thrown the Catholic community and residents of the area into mourning.

Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Police Command’s spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, said the police received a report on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at about 9:30 p.m. that the lifeless body of an unidentified man had been found by the roadside along Church Road in 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 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 for the killing,” she said.

The police spokesperson added that the command would provide further updates as the investigation progresses. (Daily Trust)

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