Ilorin, 30 October, 2023 / 9:00 pm (ACI Africa).
Monks at the Benedictine Monastery, Eruku in Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Ilorin are planning for the funeral ceremony of their confrere, Br. Godwin Eze, after those who set out to search for the murdered monk’s body encountered obstacles.
Fr. Joseph Ekesiobi, a former Novice Director at the Nigerian Benedictine monastery, told ACI Africa that the team that ventured into the forest where Br. Godwin was held captive before he was brutally shot and his body thrown in a river decided to retreat fearing for their lives.
The search team was composed of a vigilante group, some members of the Monastery, and the Nigerian police. Also joining the search crew was a group of hunters who were brought on board for their familiarity with the forest.
Br. Godwin’s father who also joined the search advised the team to retreat when they found themselves deep inside the Fulani territory, Fr. Ekesiobi told ACI Africa on Sunday, October 29.
“Our community met with the police on Wednesday (October 25) last week to organize the search for Godwin’s body. All arrangements were made and on Thursday (October 26), they embarked on the search,” Fr. Ekesiobi, the monastery’s spokesperson said.