A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Samuel Opeyemi Oyetoro, has been found dead by the roadside in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, in what police have launched an investigation into as a suspected homicide.
The priest, who was attached to St. Paul’s Parish, Ayetoro Gbede, in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, was reportedly attacked by yet-to-be-identified assailants before his body was discovered along Church Road in Ajaokuta.
Sources said the cleric sustained multiple machete wounds during the attack, a development that has sent shockwaves through the Catholic community and residents of Kogi State.
Confirming the incident on Friday, the spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command, ASP Afusat Oyiza Salihu, said officers responded immediately after receiving a report of the discovery of a corpse.
“On 29th July 2026, at about 9:30 a.m., the Police received information that the lifeless body of an unidentified male was found by the roadside along Church Road, Ajaokuta,” she said.
“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.”
Salihu said detectives had commenced investigations to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing and bring those responsible to justice.
“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.”
The killing has sparked grief among parishioners and residents, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the priest’s death.
