The Parishioners of the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in the Gulu-Lapai Local Government of Niger State are mourning the death of their parish priest, Reverend Father James Omeh and a lady, Charity John, who were swept away by flood following a heavy rainfall in the state.

A Hilux 4×4 SUV which they were travelling in along the Lapai-Gulu Road near a river, was swept away in the flood due to a heavy flood after a heavy downpour.

The spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident involving the victims.

He said the lifeless bodies of the victims had been recovered and handed over to the church for burial.

Abiodun said, “On 25th May, 2025 around 1 p.m., information was received that Rev. Fr. James Omeh of St. Anthony Catholic Church Gulu via Lapai and one Charity John were heading to Gulu village in a white Toyota Hilux vehicle, were reportedly swept away by flood into a flooded stream as a result of the heavy downpour and got drowned.

“Police operatives attached to Lapai Div moved to the scene, the bodies of the victims were recovered with the help of the community members and released to the Church for burial, while the vehicle was towed out of the stream.”

A source said that Rev. Fr. Omeh was travelling to Gulu around 12 noon when he discovered that the Lapai-Gulu Bridge had collapsed near Duma village.

“As he too turned to go back to Duma, he was caught in a torrential downpour that caused rapidly rising floodwaters, which washed away his Hilux van,” the source said.

“Rev. Fr. Omeh, who was driving a white Hilux, was swept away by the flood into a deep, water-filled ditch. With assistance from the Sarkin Ruwa, local volunteers later recovered the vehicle. Sadly, the lifeless bodies of Rev. Fr. Omeh and a woman were recovered at the scene.”

The deceased priest, Reverend Father Omeh, had also served as the Coordinator of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Lapai LGA before his demise.