Reverend Father James Omeh, Parish Priest of St. Anthonyβs Catholic Church in Gulu and Coordinator of CAN in Lapai LGA, Niger State, lost his life in a flood incident on May 24, 2025, following heavy rainfall along the Lapai-Gulu Road. A female passenger travelling with him also died in the incident.
The priest encountered a collapsed section of the Lapai-Gulu bridge after Duma village and attempted to turn back but was swept away by rapidly rising floodwaters. He was driving a white Hilux vehicle when the flood carried it into a deep gully. Local volunteers and the Sarkin Ruwa recovered the bodies and the vehicle. One person remains unaccounted for.
Rev. Fr. Omeh was known for advocating peace and unity in Lapai and recently led the CAN leadership on courtesy visits to stakeholders, including the Emir of Lapai and local authorities, to promote interfaith harmony.
Residents have renewed calls for immediate government attention to the Lapai-Gulu Road, which they say poses serious danger due to its poor condition.The Niger State Police Command confirmed the incident through its spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, stating that police and community members retrieved the bodies and handed them over to the church. The vehicle was also recovered from the stream.
Source: https://saharareporters.com/
