News

Nigeria: Killing of priest further evidence of Christian persecution

June 16, 2023

Targeting the Christians of Nigeria are both the Islamic militant group Boko Haram and Muslim Fulani herdsmen.

For information about Orthodox Christianity in Nigeria, see here.

For previous coverage of the persecution of Christians in Nigeria from ChristianPersecution.com, see here.

“Killing of priest further evidence of Christian persecution in Nigeria,” by Ngala Killian Chimton, OSV News, June 13, 2023:

The killing of Father Charles Igechi June 7 is further evidence of Christian persecution in Nigeria, church officials in the country say.

The priest was on his way to St. Michael College in Ikhueniro, where he was assigned, when unidentified gunmen swooped in and shot him in the back.

Archbishop Augustine Akubeze of Benin City said in a statement that the body of the priest was found in Ikpoba Hill, not far from Benin City, the capital and largest city of Edo state in southern Nigeria.

“With deep sadness and sorrow in our hearts, we wish to inform you of the death of one of our priests in the Archdiocese, Father 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,” the archbishop said June 8 in a condolence message.

Father Igechi was killed only 10 months after he was ordained.

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

Josef Ishu, secretary of the Nigerian bishops’ conference Laity Office, told OSV News the killing of the priest is “the latest evidence of Christian persecution” in Nigeria….