Edo Catholic priest dies of hypertension 22 months after regaining freedom from kidnappers
A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Peter Ebhota Udo, has died of hypertension 22 months after he was rescued from kidnappers in Edo State.
Rev. Udo, the parish priest of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Uromi in Esan North East Local Government Area of the state, was kidnapped alongside Rev. Fr. Philemon Oboh of St. Joseph retreat centre, Ugboha, in July 2022.
The priests were freed unhurt by security operatives on July 6, 2022.
However, Rev. Udo reportedly succumbed to the effects of high blood pressure on Friday, October 13, 2023.
His death was confirmed by a fellow Catholic priest, Fr. Kay, who described him as a priest who poured out his entire life for others.
“Dear Rev Fr Peter Udo, the Priest of Impossible Cases, I can’t believe you’re no more. Life is a mystery. Just yesterday, you wished me happy birthday as I sat typing my morning reflection,” he wrote on Facebook.
“I had previously wondered why you couldn’t make it to my birthday celebration. Unknown to us, you were already struggling with pains. But it is well. You were a man of peace. A joy giver, a light in the dark, and a priest who poured out his entire life for others. An Iroko tree has fallen! But God knows best. You survived two kidnappings, only to be felled by blood pressure? You’ll be sorely missed. We love you, but God loves you more. Keep resting in the Bosom of the Lord, till we meet to part no more! Earth’s loss is heaven’s gain. Udoooooo! Pray for us who are still here. At your Requiem Mass yesterday, men and women of the CONCLAVE WEPT. In fact, Jesus wept too! May God grant your family, friends, and loved ones, the fortitude to bear this great loss. Amen. Requiescat in Pace! Please say a prayer for the peaceful repose of Rev. Fr. Udo Peter,” he added.
Many parishioners also expressed their shock and sadness over the demise of Rev. Udo, who they said was a great teacher and a friend to many.
“This is very hard to believe …You were strong this morning and now the sudden news of your demise,who would believe this. You were a great teacher. Earth has lost but Heaven has gained a Treasure…We are comforted by the life you lived while here on Earth. Rest in power great man, Rev. Fr. Peter Udo Ebhota,” one of them wrote.
The Edo State Police Command had not issued any statement on the death of Rev. Udo as at the time of filing this report.
