KOGI, Nigeria – An unidentified assailant killed Catholic priest Samuel Oyetoro with a machete in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, on July 29, 2026.
Nigeria’s Kogi State Police Command confirmed the fatal attack on July 31, 2026. Okay News reports that spokesperson ASP Oyiza Afusat announced officers located the victim by the roadside along Church Road after receiving a report at 9:30 a.m. WAT.
Afusat said, “The incident is confirmed. 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.”
Responding operatives noted severe head wounds on the victim at the scene. Afusat 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 autopsy.”
Authorities identified the deceased as Rev. Fr. Samuel Opeyemi of St. Paul’s Parish, located in Ayetoro Gbede within the Ijumu Local Government Area. The priest was born in Egbe, a town in the Yagba West Local Government Area.
The ongoing case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department upon the conclusion of preliminary inquiries. Afusat said, “We will provide further updates as the investigation progresses.”
