By Terzungwe Margaret 

Shock and anger have trailed the death of 19-year-old Rita Nguemo Monkyegh in Benue State, following allegations that she was repeatedly abused by a Catholic priest said to be her uncle. Her family is now demanding justice.

A storm of outrage is brewing in Benue State following the tragic death of 19-year-old Rita Nguemo Monkyegh, amid disturbing allegations of sexual abuse involving a Catholic priest identified as Rev. Fr. Linus Terhide Adeke.

According to family sources, the priest, who reportedly serves in Lagos and is related to the victim through her mother, had taken Rita from her parents under the promise of sponsoring her university education.

But what was meant to be a lifeline allegedly turned into a nightmare.
Family members claimed the teenager was subjected to repeated sexual abuse while living with the cleric. In a desperate move, Rita was said to have secretly recorded one of the alleged incidents on her phone before fleeing the house.

She reportedly contacted her father and shared the recording, prompting the family to confront the priest. Sources alleged that he admitted to the act during the exchange, a claim yet to be independently verified.

The situation reportedly escalated when Rita was later confirmed pregnant after undergoing medical tests in Lagos.

She returned to Benue, but the trauma, according to relatives, did not end there.

Family members alleged that she lived in fear after receiving threats warning her not to speak out. She reportedly complained of strange attacks and distress whenever she was alone.
Tragedy struck shortly after.

Rita was said to have died in her sleep on the same day she raised fresh concerns about her safety.

Her death has since sparked anger within the community, especially as sources disclosed that the matter was not immediately reported to the police, allegedly due to family interventions.
Even more shocking, it was gathered that the priest’s family was aware of the allegations, yet none reportedly attended Rita’s burial.

As outrage grows, residents and concerned voices are now calling on authorities to launch a full-scale investigation into the case.

Efforts to get official reactions from the Catholic Church and law enforcement authorities were unsuccessful as of press time.