Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abuja (Fides News Agency) – The killing of Father Samuel Opeyemi Oyetoro (see Fides, 3/8/2026) has deeply affected both his home community and the one where he had been temporarily assigned to serve.
The priest, whose body, bearing machete wounds, was found on Church Road in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, central Nigeria, was visiting St. Paul the Apostle Church in Ajaokuta.
On the day of his murder, he had celebrated Mass in place of the parish priest, Father Clement Wesaku, who was away on a two-week leave.
“We entrust our beloved priest to the infinite mercy of God, giving thanks for his faithful ministry, his selfless love and his unwavering dedication to the People of God,” the Diocese of Lokoja said in a statement.
Father Oyetoro was originally from Ayetoro, in the Ijumu West Local Government Area of Kogi State, and was born in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, Kelvin Ochai, the seminarian abducted on 29 July by armed men from the residence of the Bishop of Otukpo, Bishop Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, in the Asa III area of Otukpo, Benue State, in north-central Nigeria, has been released.
According to the Diocese of Otukpo, the seminarian managed to escape from his captors on 31 July and reached Aliade, in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State, where he was safely reunited with his family without having sustained any injuries.
Still being held by their abductors are seminarian Lawrence Chidera Igbo and a lay faithful, who were kidnapped during the attack on St. Joseph's Church in Inoyi, Affa, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, south-eastern Nigeria, during Sunday Mass on 2 August (see Fides, 3/8/2026).
(L.M.) (Fides News Agency, 4/8/2026)
