Rev. Father Osia the Catholic Priest who was abducted by gunmen early hour of Sunday in Edo State has been gruesomely murdered by his abductors.
Africa Today News, New York had earlier reported that the priest was kidnapped Ikabigbo community of Etsako West Local Government Area of the state on Sunday morning.
Fellow Catholic Priest, Fr Kelvin Ugwu confirmed the killing in a post on his verified Facebook page on Sunday night which has now gone viral.
Read Also: Gunmen Murder 25 People, Raze Houses In Kaduna Community
He wrote, ‘Sad News: The priest of Auchi diocese, Rev Fr Christopher Osia, that was kidnapped this morning the 26th of June 2022 on his way to mass has been killed’.
As at the time of filing this report, details of the incident were, however, still sketchy
The Catholic Diocese of Auchi confirmed the death of the priest in a statement which was obtained by Africa Daily News, New York on Monday morning.
The statement, was signed by the Director of Social Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa.
It read in part, ‘With heavy hearts but with total submission to the will of God, we announce the death of our priest Rev. Fr. Christopher Odia, who was killed by his abductors after being kidnapped this morning 26th June 2022 at about 6.30am in his rectory while coming out to go for Sunday Mass at St. Michael Catholic Church Ikabigbo, Uzairue, Edo State.
‘Until his death, Fr Odia was the Administrator of St Michael Catholic Church, Ikabigbo and also the Principal of St. Philip Catholic Secondary School Jattu. He was aged 41. May his soul rest in peace.
‘Burial arrangements will be announced by the Diocese later.’
Many Nigerians have taken to social media to lament the killing.