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| Rev. Fr. Christopher Odia |
…Says It Is The Height Of Evil Done To Humanity
By Blessing Etim
Former House of Representatives Aspirant, Etsako Federal Constituency, Chief Richard Lamai has extended his condolences to the family of Reverend Father Christopher Odia-Ogedegbe over the gruesome murder of the priest, who was earlier abducted.
In a statement, Lamai expressed shock following the heinous crime which has affected not only the immediate family of the priest, but the entire Afenmai community.
“I express my sincere sympathy and condolences to the Auchi Catholic Diocese, the entire Catholic family globally, Ogedegbe family, Ogbonna Community, Avhianwu Kingdom, and Edo State over the gruesome murder of our dear brother, Rev. Fr Christopher Odia-Ogedegbe, yesterday, 16th June, 2022”
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| Rev. Fr. Christopher Odia |
“We are still in shock following the heinous act and evil treatment served the entire community, by taking away a vibrant, intelligent and outspoken Priest, this there is no doubt has left a hole in our hearts as memories of the untimely death of our dear brother, Father and Head of Ikabigbo Vigilante Group will forever be remarkable in our lives”.
He however called on the Edo State security agencies to unravel the killers hideouts, and ensure that they face the full course of the Law, even as he urged inhabitants to stay alert and look out for each other.
“This is a wake up call, a call for a collective effort, a call for us to be our brothers keepers by gazing at each other’ daily business without any reservation, a call to report any suspicious movement, a call to be proactive, a call to come out boldly as a people and to avoid reoccurrence.”
“May God console the immediate family, especially the mother, close allies, colleagues and his Students he has left behind, may his gentle soul and souls of other departed saints rest in the bossom of the Almighty God and may God grant quick recovery to those hospitalized for various degrees of injuries sustained, Amen”.
Meanwhile brave youths who chased the kidnappers were reportedly able to apprehend two of the suspected kidnappers. In the cause of the confrontations one of them reportedly injured several persons including a woman said to have been hit by a stray bullet but survived.
Lamai therefore commended the swift efforts made by the youths and various Vigilante Groups to fish out the perpetrators.
It will be recalled that the Director of Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, had in a statement announced the sad demise of the Catholic Priest.
The statement reads: “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.
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