The deceased, identified as Rev. Fr. Samuel Opeyemi Oyetoro, was a Catholic priest serving at St. Paul Parish, Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, and a native of Ayetoro in Ijumu Local Government.
According to information gathered by DailyVista247, the incident occurred on Tuesday, July 29, 2026, along Church Road in Ajaokuta. Residents were said to have discovered the lifeless body by the roadside with severe machete cuts to the head and alerted security operatives immediately.
Checks by DailyVista247 showed that the priest was born in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area, and had previously served at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Egbe, before his posting to Ayetoro Gbede, and was serving as a visiting priest at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Ajaokuta at the time of his death.
Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, said the police received a distress report at about 9:30 am that an unidentified male was found lying along the road in a pool of blood with multiple wounds.
She explained that police operatives were immediately deployed to the scene. The body was later evacuated to the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor and deposited at the mortuary for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
The police spokesperson disclosed that preliminary investigation has commenced, adding that the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further discreet investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the brutal killing.
She noted that efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend those behind the incident, with the command assuring that it will provide updates as investigation progresses and that no stone will be left unturned in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
The killing has sparked outrage among members of the Catholic community, with parishioners calling on security agencies to ensure those behind the attack are arrested and prosecuted, describing the act as barbaric and unacceptable in a peaceful community.
The death has generated strong reactions among residents and members of the Catholic community in the state, who described the late priest as a dedicated and selfless clergyman committed to his pastoral duties and community development across Kogi West.
As of the time of filing this report, the Catholic Diocese of Lokoja is yet to issue an official statement on the incident, though sources within the church confirmed the identity of the deceased priest and his pastoral postings in the diocese.
The brutal murder has heightened concerns over the safety of clergymen in the state, with residents urging the state government to strengthen security along major roads in Ajaokuta and surrounding local government areas to prevent recurrence and protect religious leaders while calling for swift justice for the slain priest.
