An Anglican reverend was murdered by his son in the agrarian community of Okpare in Olomu Kingdom, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, on Wednesday.

It was gathered that the priest, identified as Rev. Isaac Umurie, one of the reverends attached to St. John’s Anglican Church, Okpare-Olomu, was hacked to death in his sleep in the early hours of the day by his 28-year-old son, Ufuoma Umurie.

It was learnt that the incident occurred around 2am with the mother narrowly escaping being butchered alongside the reverend.

The suspect allegedly chased his mother while she was attempting to save the life of her husband but narrowly escaped unhurt.

Ufuoma, who is presently in the police net, was said to have used a cutlass to hack his father’s skull and other parts of his body while asleep before neighbours and church members could gain access to the apartment.

Although what led to the incident was still scanty as of the time of filing this report, multiple sources in the community alleged that Ufuoma was mentally unstable and that it was the second time that the suspect would be attacking the father.

It was, however, gathered that in the ensuing melee, the suspect was overpowered, apprehended and handed over to the police at the Otu-Jeremi Divisional Headquarters.

Commenting, one of the sources said, “This is the second time Ufuoma is attacking his father. The other time, he beat him, and the Okpare-Olomu vigilante held him.But the father pleaded that he should not be taken to the police station. We heard that he is not mentally stable.

“The priest has a few years to retire. He was brought closer home because of his retirement before this unfortunateincident.”

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident.

“The suspect is already in police custody and he would be prosecuted for the crime,” Edafe said. (The PUNCH, excluding headline)