THE Parish Priest of St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church, Sobe, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Rev. Father Peter Ayala, was, Sunday morning, found dead in his apartment, few hours before he was due to conduct the 7a.m mass.

Vanguard gathered that the cleric was said to be cleaning his double-barreled gun inside his apartment within the church premises, when the gun reportedly went off and killed him.

It was gathered that the incident took place in the early hours of Sunday before the Priest dressed up for the mass even as worshippers were said to be gathering for the service.

The incident, it was learnt, threw the church into confusion as mass servers and church elders made frantic efforts to know what went wrong with congregation waiting for the mass to begin but found the priest lying dead in his apartment.

The Elders were said have later reported the incident to the Bishop of the Auchi Diocese, Dr Gabriel Duniya, who it was gathered conducted a quick investigation with security agents and confirmed that the priest died when the rifle he was cleaning went off.

Meanwhile, Sobe was still in mourning, yesterday, as the worshippers, irrespective of their denominations, on hearing the tragic news gathered near the church premises, discussing the incident in hush tones.

Contacted, the Edo State Police Public Relations, DSP Moses Eguavoen said the incident was unfortunate, adding that the state command was yet to get the full details of what transpired before the Priest’s death
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striktlymi: Hmmmm...

The 'accident theory' makes very little sense to me because it leaves us with more questions than answers. The questions that readily comes to mind are:

1) Is the priest in the habit of cleaning his gun when it is loaded?
2) Since the gun is loaded, can't we safely assume that the priest cleaned it the day before?
3) Why would he need to clean the gun that early and at a time that he is expected to be preparing for mass?

The theory really does not add up. Suicide and homicide make a whole lot of sense for me, as a preliminary theory. Anyways, since we are yet to get the facts, we just have to wait and see how this story unfolds.

jamace: Wow!!! May his soul rest in peace.

I have many questions to aid investigation of this case:
1. Who knew prior to this time that the Rev has a gun?
2. For how long has owned the gun?
3. Is his gun licensed? I mean does the police know about the gun?
4. Who saw him cleaning the gun that morning? That person has a lot of questions to answer.
5. What type of a rev is he? Gentle, social, outgoing, circle of friends etc.
6. Where did the bullet hit on the Rev's body? Chest, face, arm, leg, back etc.
7. Has he known enemies, may be through preaching against the ills of the government?
8. Was there any known crime/sin which he committed and is bringing his personality and position to disrepute?
9. Was his door locked with key or just jammed when the church elders got to the house on hearing the gunshot?
10. Has he a servant that lives with him or he lives alone?

Answers to above questions could aid investigation and give a clue as to what really happened.

striktlymi: Hmmmm...

The 'accident theory' makes very little sense to me because it leaves us with more questions than answers. The questions that readily comes to mind are:

1) Is the priest in the habit of cleaning his gun when it is loaded?
2) Since the gun is loaded, can't we safely assume that the priest cleaned it the day before?
3) Why would he need to clean the gun that early and at a time that he is expected to be preparing for mass?

The theory really does not add up. Suicide and homicide make a whole lot of sense for me, as a preliminary theory. Anyways, since we are yet to get the facts, we just have to wait and see how this story unfolds.

aprokomania:


but wat would make a priest comit suicide? dis looks like homicide. smh. worlds end is near.

aryzgreat: RIP, hope our police unravel ds death.

striktlymi: Hmmmm...

The 'accident theory' makes very little sense to me because it leaves us with more questions than answers. The questions that readily comes to mind are:

1) Is the priest in the habit of cleaning his gun when it is loaded?
2) Since the gun is loaded, can't we safely assume that the priest cleaned it the day before?
3) Why would he need to clean the gun that early and at a time that he is expected to be preparing for mass?

The theory really does not add up. Suicide and homicide make a whole lot of sense for me, as a preliminary theory. Anyways, since we are yet to get the facts, we just have to wait and see how this story unfolds.