A Catholic Reverend Father serving in a Diocese in Anambra State, has been allegedly burnt by a cooking gas fire in his lover’s house at the Allen Avenue of Awka, the Anambra state capital.
According to a close source who exclusively disclosed to Punch Newspaper, the priest’s lover died in the inferno while the Reverend Father who sustained high degree of burnt has been flown abroad for treatment as well as to cover traces.
“Your inquiry isn’t exactly false. His (Reverend Father’s) relative is a friend and he did not say anything different from your proposed report,” the source said.
Reports revealed that the priest was relaxing in a one-room apartment of the alleged girlfriend (who was identified as a student of a university in the state) on the fateful day when the incident occurred.
“The girl died on the spot, but the priest was hurriedly smuggled away and we now hear that they have flown him abroad, apparently to cover traces. Are there no hospitals in Nigeria?
“I have told them to stop covering this story. What do they want to achieve by hiding this story? The truth should be said and shame the devil,” the source maintained.
However, another source who would not want to be named, said, “The priest was involved in the gas fire accident trying to save a life. All these side talks are not unnecessary.”
Abuchi Onwumelu, the Press Secretary to the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, when contacted on the telephone for reaction, he said he had heard about the gas fire incident involving a Reverend Father, but had no full facts of the story.
Meanwhile, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ali Okechukwu, said the matter had not been reported to his office, and promised to reach the Divisional Police Officer of ‘B’ Division where the incident allegedly occurred.
