A Catholic priest identified as Rev. Fr. Samuel Opeyemi Oyetoro, was allegedly stabbed to death on Thursday in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, and his remains abandoned along the roadside.
Rev. Fr. Oyetoro was a parish priest at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Egbe in Yagba West Local Government Area of the state. The tragic death of the priest has thrown the Catholic community and many residents of Kogi State into mourning.
The circumstances leading to his death in Ajaokuta, which is far away from his area are yet to be unraveled, as at the time of filing this report. It was learnt that the priest was born in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, and was a native of Ayetoro in Ijumu Local Government Area of the state. Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, said the incident occurred on 29th July 2026, at about 9:30 am, adding that the Police received information that a 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 on 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.
“Upon the conclusion of the preliminary investigation, the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation.
“We will provide further updates as the investigation progresses,” she added.
