A Catholic priest and a hospital staff member have tragically lost their lives after their vehicle plunged into a flooded stream in Niger State on Saturday, May 24, 2025.

The victims, identified as Reverend Father James Omeh, the Parish Priest of Saint Anthony Catholic Church, Gulu, and Charity John, a staff member of Divine Mercy Hospital, Dutsen Kura, were traveling in a white Hilux vehicle when the incident occurred.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, who confirmed the incident on Monday, the pair were en route to Gulu via Lapai when they missed their route due to poor visibility caused by heavy rainfall. This led to their vehicle driving into a flooded stream, resulting in their drowning.

Police sources revealed that the Niger State Police Command received a report about the incident at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 25. Law enforcement officers, working alongside local divers, were immediately mobilized to the scene where they successfully recovered the bodies of both victims.

The remains of Father Omeh and Charity John were subsequently released to Father Paul Moroa, the Parish Priest of Lapai, for proper Christian burial rites. Authorities also confirmed that the Hilux vehicle was recovered from the stream and towed to the police station.

This tragic incident highlights the dangers posed by flooding during Nigeria's rainy season, particularly in rural areas where infrastructure may be compromised by severe weather conditions.

The Catholic community in Niger State and members of Divine Mercy Hospital are mourning the loss of these two individuals who were serving their communities before their untimely deaths.