The Catholic community in Niger State is in sorrow following the tragic deaths of Reverend Father James Omeh and a female passenger, Charity John, who were swept away by sudden floodwaters in the Lapai Local Government Area.
The incident occurred on Saturday, May 25, 2025, as Rev. Father Omeh was returning from a religious event in Duma Village.
Rev. Father Omeh, a respected spiritual leader and the Parish Priest of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Gulu, was also the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) coordinator for Lapai Local Government Area.
Known for his commitment to service and community welfare, he touched many lives through his work and dedication to fostering unity among local residents.
Witnesses reported that the weather conditions deteriorated rapidly around noon. A torrential downpour led to severe erosion on the roads, making them treacherous.
As Rev. Father Omeh drove his Toyota Hilux, the intense rainfall overwhelmed the vehicle’s traction, causing it to skid.
The vehicle subsequently plunged into a deep, water-filled gully created by the overwhelming stormwater. Tragically, both the priest and Charity John were trapped inside the vehicle as it quickly submerged.
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Local residents and volunteers rushed to the scene in a desperate attempt to rescue them, but the swift current thwarted their efforts.
It was only after a frantic search that the bodies of Rev. Father Omeh and Charity John were eventually recovered from the vehicle, which lay in the gully, nearly entirely submerged.
The Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident, noting that officers from the Lapai Division, in coordination with local residents, successfully retrieved both the bodies and the vehicle from the stream.
The remains were subsequently handed over to the church for their final rites.
The sudden and tragic deaths of Rev. Father Omeh and Charity John have sent shockwaves throughout the local Christian community, where they were both deeply cherished.
Many mourners have come forward to express their grief, with several describing Rev. Father Omeh as a devoted cleric and a remarkable figure of unity, whose loss will be felt profoundly in the hearts of those he served.