A Catholic priest, identified as  Rev. Fr. Charles Igechi, under the Benin Archdiocese, has been shot dead by gunmen in Benin, Edo State.

It was gathered that the priest was shot by gunmen on Wednesday along the Agbor Road Bypass area in the Ikhueniro axis of Benin.

He was said to be on his was to his place of assignment when the gunmen attacked him.

A Catholic priest within the Benin Archdiocese, who craved anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter,  confirmed the killing of the priest to our correspondent

He said, “It is true; he was killed. Nobody was with him when he was killed by gunmen. His corpse bore bullet holes when it was found.”

Efforts to reach the Edo State Police Command spokesperson, Chidi Nwanbuzor, were unsuccessful, as calls and text message to his cell phone were not answered

Th Catholic Archbishop of Benin City, Augustine Akubeze, said the issue had been reported to the police and expressed hope that justice would be served on the perpetrators of  the illegal act

Akubeze, in a condolence statement issued on Thursday, said the priest, who was ordained in August 2022, was shot on his way back to his place of assignment and his remains were found by Boundary Street in Ikpoba Hill, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, Edo State.

“With deep sadness and sorrow in our hearts, we wish to inform you of the death of one of our priests in the Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Charles Onomhoale Igechi, who was ordained on the 13 of August, 2022 and who until his death was the Vice Principal of St. Michael College, Ikhueniro.

“With great shock we received the news this morning that he was shot on his way back to his place of assignment, on the 7th of June, 2023.

“We, therefore, wish to solicit your prayers for the happy repose of his soul.”