The Diocese of Lokoja announced the death of Fr Samuel Opeyemi Oyetoro in a statement on July 30.

“We commend our beloved priest to the infinite mercy of God, giving thanks for his faithful ministry, sacrificial love, and unwavering dedication to the people of God,” the diocese said.

The murder of Fr Oyetoro is the latest in a series of increasingly violent attacks against priests, religious and lay Catholics in the country.

Four days after the priest’s murder, seven gunmen entered the Church of St Joseph in Enugu state in southeastern Nigeria during Sunday Mass, Fides reported. The attackers kidnapped three people, including a seminarian, a catechist and a parishioner.

The catechist was able to escape his captors while police conducted a search operation. However, the seminarian and the parishioner remained hostages for a few days before thankfully being released.