Ikhueniro community in shock after Catholic priest shot dead by gunmen
The Community of Ikhueniro on Benin-Agbor road woke up to the horrific news of the murder of a Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Charles Onomhoale Igechi, on June 8 2023.
The priest in the Catholic Archdiocese in Benin City was shot dead by unknown gunmen on Thursday.
Igechi has been a Rev. Father for a year, The Standard Gazette gathered.
TSG gathered that he was accosted along the Benin-Agbor road, and the assailants shot him multiple times and waited for him to die before fleeing the scene.
The police are yet to make a public statement on the killing as the Edo State police commissioner, CP Mohammed Dankwara, was spotted at the Police Division near Ikhueniro, Okhuaile Division, for facts finding on the assassination.
Until his death, Rev. Father Igechi was the Vice Principal of St. Michael Catholic College Ikhueniro, Benin City.
He was Ordained as a Catholic priest on August 13 2022.
*Catholic Church confirms the death of Igechi in Ikhueniro*
The Catholic Archdiocese in Benin confirmed the assassination of their member.
The statement of the Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze described Igechi’s death as “shocking.”
The statement said, “With great shock, we received the news this morning Rev Fr. Charles Onomhoale was shot on his way back to his place of assignment on June 7, 2023, and his remains were found by Boundary Street in Ikpoba Hill, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
“The appropriate security agency has been informed, and they are presently working on the case. We pray that the perpetrators of this evil act will be brought to the face of justice.
“We, therefore, wish to solicit your prayers for the happy repose of his soul”.
A date has been fixed for a special mass to honour the slain Clergyman on “June 9, 2023, at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre’s Chapel at 10:00am,” the statement further reads.
The statement added, “I entrust you all to the maternal intercession of our Lady of Sorrow. May God continue to guide and protect all the faithful in the Archdiocese of Benin City, and may the soul of Rev. Fr. Charles Igechi find peace and tranquillity in the loving embrace of our risen Saviour. Amen”.
©Standard Gazette
