Nigerian Priest Murdered; Hidden Extremist Networks Suspected in Kogi State

Attack deepens fears over clergy safety as analysts point to Ansaru-linked cells and rising armed group activity.

By Onibiyo Segun

(Lokoja, Kogi State) – Rev. Fr. Samuel Opeyemi Oyetoro, a Catholic priest serving communities in Kogi State, was found dead beside a roadside with severe machete wounds, raising fears over clergy safety and possible links to criminal networks.

The priest serving at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Egbe, Kogi State, was found dead along Church Road in Ajaokuta County on July 29, 2026.

Police said, “officers received information at about 9:30 a.m. about the body of an unidentified man discovered along the roadside. The victim had severe machete wounds to the head and was taken to ASCL Hospital, where he was confirmed dead and later identified as Fr. Oyetoro.”

The late priest was a native of Ayetoro in Ijumu County and was born in Egbe, Yagba West County, Kogi state.

Until his death, Fr. Oyetoro served worshippers at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Egbe, and was also attached to St. Paul’s Parish, Ayetoro Gbede.

He was known among worshippers for sermons focused on faith, sacrifice and mortality. A video of one of his messages reflecting on death and the meaning of life gained attention after his killing.

Church Leaders, Family React

The Catholic Diocese of Lokoja announced the death of Rev. Fr. Samuel Opeyemi Oyetoro, describing him as a devoted priest who served God with dedication and love.

A senior family member, Mr. Joshua Ibiteye, in a chat with TruthNigeria reporter described Fr. Oyetoro as a peaceful man.

“We are heartbroken. Father Samuel was a peaceful man who only wanted to serve his people. We are asking the government and security agencies to do everything possible to find those responsible and bring them to justice,” Ibiteye said.

A parishioner, Mr. Louis Izugwu, Chairman of St. Peter The Apostle Catholic Church, Aja, remembered Fr. Oyetoro as a godly, humble and lovable priest whose kindness, guidance and dedication left a lasting impact on parishioners.

Priest’s Death Raises Clergy Safety Concerns

Fr. Oyetoro’s killing has renewed concerns over attacks targeting religious leaders in Nigeria.

TruthNigeria previously reported that Catholic clergy members have faced years of abductions and killings, exposing the risks faced by priests serving vulnerable communities.

Data compiled by the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria showed that 145 Catholic priests were kidnapped between 2015 and 2025, with 11 killed and four still missing, according to Vatican-linked Catholic news agency Agenzia Fides.

Fr. Oyetoro’s death came amid renewed concerns over church attacks after gunmen reportedly entered a Catholic church in Enugu State during Sunday Mass and abducted a seminarian, a catechist and a parishioner.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has warned of continued attacks by armed groups promoting violent extremist ideologies and expressed concern over religious freedom violations in Nigeria.

Ansaru Links Put Kogi Under Spotlight

Security analysts say Kogi’s location between northern and southern Nigeria makes the state vulnerable to criminal and extremist networks.

Prof. Adetoun Olusesan, a security and counter-radicalization analyst, said Kogi’s security concerns go beyond ordinary criminal activity because of reported links between the state and extremist terrorist networks.

Reports have linked Ansaru, a Boko Haram splinter group with al-Qaeda ideology, to networks operating in parts of Kogi. Some identified Ansaru figures have Ebira-tribe roots in the state.

However, there is no publicly confirmed intelligence figure showing the exact number of Ansaru fighters currently operating in Kogi.

Security reports have referred to eight suspected Ansaru cells in the state, particularly around the Obajana-Kabba areas. The figure refers to alleged operational cells and not a confirmed number of terrorists.

Prof. Adetoun Olusesan said, “Ansaru operates through hidden networks in Kogi, while Boko Haram, ISWAP and Lakurawa remain separate groups with different areas of operation and no confirmed single command structure.”

Highway Attacks Raise Questions

Security officials have identified criminal commanders linked to attacks, kidnapping and armed operations in Kogi.

The Nigerian military said Battijo was killed on June 10, 2026, during an operation after he allegedly led members of his group to attack students sitting WAEC examinations at Government Secondary School, Iluke, Kabba/Bunu County.

Other commanders named by security agencies include Kachalla Balla and members of the Ibrahim/Shu’aibu network linked to arms recovery operations.

Olusesan said attacks along the Ajaokuta route have raised concerns over the involvement of armed groups.

“Fulani militia terrorists have been identified as responsible for attacks on the Ajaokuta route. This clearly must be their handwork,” he said.

However, investigators have not publicly confirmed the motive behind Fr. Oyetoro’s killing or identified those responsible.

Fulani Communities Reject Criminal Label

Speaking to TruthNigeria via telephone, Alhaji Wakili Damina, Kogi State MACBAN chairman, warned against blaming entire communities for crimes committed by individuals.

He said Fulani communities in Kogi have lived peacefully with Yoruba, Ebira and Igala communities for decades, adding that criminals should be identified and prosecuted according to the law.

Francis Emmanuel, a commercial driver who uses the Ajaokuta-Kabba route, told TruthNigeria that , “I have encountered Fulani militia terrorists on that highway several times. I have escaped them twice,” he said.

Security experts say identifying Fr. Oyetoro’s killers and their motive is critical as Kogi’s rising attacks deepen fears over the safety of community leaders who serve as voices of peace.

Onibiyo Segun reports on terrorism and conflict for TruthNigeria.

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