Gunmen kill Catholic priest in Anambra State

Gunmen kill Catholic priest in Anambra State

The Catholic Diocese of Nnewi has announced the tragic murder of Reverend Father Tobias Chukwujekwu Okonkwo by unknown assailants. A statement released by the Chancellor of the Nnewi Diocese, Rev Fr Raphael Ezeonu, indicated that Father Okonkwo, who was also a pharmacist, was shot dead in Ihiala on Boxing Day, December 26, between 7 pm and 8 pm along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway.

ADVERTISEMENT

• play
• pause
• stop
• mute
• unmute
• max volume

Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.

DEY PLAYRichard JFREE DOWNLOAD

0:00

This devastating incident has been described by the Diocese as a significant loss. In the statement, there was an expression of faith in divine consolation amid the tragedy. At the time of his death, Father Okonkwo was serving as the Manager of the Schools of Nursing, Midwifery, and Medical Laboratory at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Ihiala.

In light of this sorrowful event, the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi has urged the faithful to offer prayers and celebrate Holy Masses for the eternal rest of Father Tobias and to provide comfort to his grieving family. The Diocese also mentioned that funeral arrangements for Father Okonkwo will be announced in due course.

Notably, the killing of Father Okonkwo occurred just two weeks after the abduction of a 75-year-old retired Anglican Archbishop, Most Reverend Godwin Okpala, whose whereabouts remain unknown.