A tragic incident occurred over the weekend in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, as Reverend Father James Omeh, parish priest of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Gulu, lost his life alongside a female passenger after their vehicle was swept away by raging floodwaters.
Father Omeh, who also served as the coordinator of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the local government, was travelling along the flood-damaged Lapai-Gulu Road on Saturday, May 24, 2025, when the fatal accident took place around midday.
According to local sources, the priest was driving his Hilux vehicle when he encountered a collapsed bridge washed away by heavy rainfall the previous night. While attempting to make a U-turn toward Duma village, the vehicle was caught in a powerful surge of floodwater and carried away.
Despite desperate efforts to escape, both Father Omeh and his passenger, identified as Charity John, drowned in the incident. Their bodies were recovered several hours later by local volunteers and traditional water custodians, including the Sarkin Ruwa (translated as "King of Water") from a nearby village.
Residents of the area expressed deep sorrow and frustration over the incident, describing the Lapai-Gulu Road as a death trap. Community members revealed that they had long pleaded with authorities for urgent intervention, citing the road’s deteriorating condition and high risk during the rainy season.
“This is not the first time the bridge has posed a danger,” one resident lamented. “We have cried out several times to the government, but little has been done. Now, we have lost a man of peace and a pillar of unity in our community.”
In response to the tragic loss, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago extended his condolences to the bereaved families, the Christian Association of Nigeria, and the entire Christian community in the state. The governor’s message was delivered on Monday through his Special Adviser on Communication, Media and Strategy, Jonathan Vatsa.
Describing the priest’s death as “painful and very unfortunate,” Governor Bago paid tribute to Father Omeh’s selfless service and unwavering dedication to peace and interfaith dialogue in the region. He noted that the late cleric had recently embarked on goodwill visits to key community leaders, including the Emir of Lapai, to promote unity and peaceful coexistence.
“Father James Omeh was a bridge-builder whose legacy of peace and cooperation will not be forgotten,” the governor said. “His tragic passing is a great loss not only to the Christian community but to the entire state.”
Governor Bago called on relevant agencies to take immediate action to repair the damaged road infrastructure in Lapai to prevent further tragedies. He also prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased and strength for the families left behind.
The incident has sparked fresh calls for urgent infrastructure improvements across flood-prone areas in Niger State, as residents fear more lives could be lost if nothing is done before the peak of the rainy season.
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