In a heartbreaking turn of events, Reverend Father James Omeh, the revered Parish Priest of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Gulu, and Coordinator of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, has lost his life in a devastating flood incident. The tragedy, which also claimed the life of a female passenger identified as Charity John, occurred on Saturday, May 24, 2025, after a bridge collapsed along the perilous Lapai-Gulu Road.
According to local sources, the incident unfolded around noon after a heavy downpour triggered flash floods that ravaged the already dilapidated Lapai-Gulu bridge, shortly after Duma village. Fr. Omeh, who was on his way to Gulu in a white Toyota Hilux, was caught unaware by the rising waters. Attempts to turn back proved futile as the torrent quickly overwhelmed the vehicle, dragging it into a deep, water-filled gully.
“The priest and the female passenger were swept away by the raging flood,” a community source told SaharaReporters. “Their lifeless bodies were later found by local volunteers, with the help of the Sarkin Ruwa (traditional water custodian). One person remains unaccounted for.”
The sudden loss of Rev. Fr. Omeh has sent shockwaves through the Lapai community and the wider Christian community in Niger State. Known for his unwavering commitment to peacebuilding and interfaith unity, the late cleric had only recently led the new CAN Lapai executive on a courtesy visit to key stakeholders, including the Emir of Lapai, Alhaji Umar Bago Tafida III, the Divisional Police Officer, and the Local Government Chairman. The visit was aimed at reaffirming CAN’s resolve to promote peaceful coexistence in the region.
Until his untimely demise, Fr. Omeh was widely admired for his humility, selfless service, and bridge-building efforts among different faiths. His death, alongside that of Ms. Charity John, has ignited fresh outrage over the deplorable state of infrastructure in Niger State.
“This is not just a tragic accident. It’s a wake-up call,” a grieving resident said. “The Lapai-Gulu Road has been a death trap for years, yet nothing is being done. How many more lives must we lose before the government takes action?”
Confirming the incident on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said the tragic event occurred around 1 p.m. on May 25. He noted that Fr. James Omeh and Charity John were carried into a flooded stream following the collapse of the bridge during the storm. The police, in collaboration with members of the community, later recovered the bodies and handed them over to the church for burial. The vehicle was also retrieved from the stream.
As tributes pour in for the late priest and his companion, the community continues to demand immediate intervention on the crumbling Lapai-Gulu Road before it claims more innocent lives.
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