Cleric burnt to death in Anambra

A Catholic priest was on Saturday burnt to death in Anambra State, South East Nigeria, PREMIUM TIMES has reported.

Edmond Nwagbala was consumed by a fire which began at about 4am at St Peter Claver Catholic Parish, Ichi, in Nnewi Local Government Area of the state.

The state police command confirmed the incident though the cause is yet to ascertained.

Nwagbala, according to the report, was sleeping in the Parish House when the fire began.

He was the priest in charge of the Parish.

“As a result the parish priest one Rv Fr. Edmond Nwagbala ‘m’ aged about 60yrs was burnt beyond recognition inside his room at same premises,” police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, said.

He said police patrol team attached to Otolo Division led by the Divisional Police Officer was later at the scene of the incident.

Mohammed added that the fire service department was equally alerted and they responded promptly and put off the fire.

“Meanwhile, the victim was rushed to the hospital for medical attention but certified dead on arrival by the medical doctor and corpse deposited at the mortuary for post-mortem examination.”

The Commissioner of Police, John Abang, has ordered an investigation into the incident, according to Mohammed.

Also speaking, the Chief Fire Officer in Anambra State, Martin Agbili, said. “At about 0346 hours of today, Anambra State Fire Service received a distress call of a fire outbreak at the Parish House of St. Peter’s Catholic Church Nnewi Ichi Uruagu.

“Our men were deployed to the fire scene and we have contained the situation. The Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Edmond Nwagbara lost his life during the fire outbreak. He was at the room where the fire incident emanated.”