Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation into the killing of Rev. Fr Samuel Opeyemi, a Catholic priest of St Paul Parish, Ayetoro Gbede, and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
Rev. Fr Opeyemi was reportedly hacked to death by yet-to-be-identified attackers, who later abandoned his body by the roadside in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of the state.
The directive was announced in a statement issued on Friday by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, who described the killing as a heinous and unacceptable act.
According to the statement, the governor has instructed all security agencies to leave no stone unturned in identifying those behind the murder.
“Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed all security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, identify everyone connected with the crime and ensure they face the full weight of the law,” the statement said.
The state government expressed deep sadness over the death of the priest and extended its condolences to the Catholic Church, the diocese, the family of the deceased and the Christian community.
The government assured residents that those responsible would not escape justice.
“The murder of Rev. Fr Samuel Opeyemi is a painful tragedy that has saddened the Government and the people of Kogi State. We condemn this barbaric act in the strongest possible terms and assure the Church and the family of the deceased that the perpetrators will not escape justice,” the statement added.
The government also called on security agencies to carry out a professional and comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing and prosecute everyone involved.
It expressed confidence in the ability of security operatives to uncover those behind the crime.