Alongside a woman known as Charity John, Reverend Father James Omeh has died. After being carried away by a flood, the woman and the parish priest of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Gulu, in the Lapai Local Government Area of Nigeria State, died.
In Lapai LGA, Rev. Fr. Omeh also held the position of Coordinator for the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
The incident happened on Sunday afternoon, May 25, 2026, after a heavy downpour washed away the white Hilux car carrying Rev. Fr. Omeh and Charity John as they were driving along the Lapai-Gulu Road close to a river.
According to a source, Rev. Fr. Omeh learnt that the Lapai-Gulu bridge had collapsed close to Duma village while he was on his way to Gulu at around noon.
He was caught in a heavy downpour that caused floodwaters to rise quickly as he turned to return to Duma, washing his Hilux van away.
The flood carried Rev. Fr. Omeh, who was operating a white Hilux, into a deep ditch that was filled with water. Later, the car was recovered by local volunteers with help from the Sarkin Ruwa. Regretfully, the dead bodies of a woman and Rev. Fr. Omeh were found at the location,” he explained.
In order to safeguard the lives of commuters who frequently use the Lapai-Gulu Road, residents told Daily Trust that the road’s appalling state has continued to cause concerns and prompted calls for immediate action.
On Monday, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, confirmed the incident. According to him, the victims’ lifeless bodies had been found and given to the church for interment.
“On May 25, 2025, at approximately 1 p.m., it was reported that Rev. Fr. James Omeh of St. Anthony Catholic Church Gulu via Lapai and one Charity John were travelling to Gulu village in a white Toyota Hilux vehicle. Due to the intense downpour, they were reportedly washed away by flood into a flooded stream and drowned,” the PPRO said.
“Lapai Div police officers arrived on the scene, and with the assistance of the locals, the victims’ bodies were recovered and taken to the church for interment, while the vehicle was towed out of the stream.”
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