In a shocking incident that has rocked the agrarian community of Okpare in Olomu Kingdom, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria, a 28-year-old man has allegedly killed his father, an Anglican priest, in the early hours of Wednesday. The victim, identified as Rev. Isaac Umurie, was attached to St. John’s Anglican Church in Okpare-Olomu.
According to reports from PUNCH Metro, the gruesome murder took place around 2 a.m. when the suspect, Ufuoma Umurie, allegedly attacked his sleeping father with a cutlass. The assailant reportedly hacked at his father’s skull and other parts of his body before neighbors and church members could intervene.
In the chaos that ensued, the priest’s wife narrowly escaped a similar fate. Sources claim that Ufuoma chased his mother as she attempted to save her husband, but she managed to flee unharmed. The community was thrown into pandemonium as news of the horrific event spread.
While the exact motive behind the attack remains unclear, multiple sources within the community allege that Ufuoma has a history of mental instability. This incident is reportedly the second time he has attacked his father, with the previous assault resulting in a beating that was resolved without police involvement at the father’s request.
A source, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed, “This is the second time Ufuoma is attacking his father. The other time, he beat him up, and the Okpare-Olomu vigilantes held him. But the father pleaded that he should not be taken to the police station. We heard that he is not mentally stable.”
The source added that Rev. Umurie was nearing retirement and had been stationed closer to home in preparation for this next phase of his life. The tragic irony of this timing has not been lost on the community.
In the aftermath of the attack, local residents managed to overpower Ufuoma and hand him over to the police at the Otu-Jeremi Divisional Headquarters for prosecution. The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident and stated that the suspect is in police custody and will face prosecution for his alleged crime.
This devastating event has raised serious questions about mental health support and family violence in the region. It has also cast a shadow over the tight-knit religious community, leaving many grappling with the shocking loss of a respected spiritual leader at the hands of his own son.
As the investigation unfolds, the community of Okpare and the wider Anglican church in Delta State are left to mourn the loss of Rev. Umurie and contemplate the complex issues surrounding this tragedy. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for improved mental health services and support systems for families dealing with such challenges.
Punchng
