Niger State is mourning the loss of Father James Omeh, Parish Priest of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, and Charity John, who both died on May 25 when their vehicle was swept into a flood-eroded gully in Lapai LGA. They were returning from a church function when the tragedy struck.
- The incident happened during a torrential downpour on the Duma–Gulu road
- The vehicle (Toyota Hilux) lost control and fell into a flooded gully
- Bodies recovered by police and local volunteers
- Father Omeh also served as CAN Coordinator for Lapai LGA
- Church and community mourn a man described as a “unifying figure.”
This tragedy once again highlights the devastating effects of poor drainage and erosion in rural Nigeria. As climate change intensifies storms and infrastructure remains underdeveloped, the risks to lives, especially in flood-prone areas, continue to grow. For many in Lapai, the death of Father Omeh is more than a loss; it’s a call for urgent action on erosion control.
The flood that claimed Father Omeh and Charity John underscores the need for better road engineering and early warning systems in rural communities. Their memories will live on through the lives they touched.
