Murder: Nnewi Catholic Diocese Confirms Killing of Rev. Fr. Okonkwo by unknown gunmen in Anambra

BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Catholic Diocese of Nnewi has confirmed the gruesome murder of its Priest, Rev. Fr. Tobias Chukwujekwu Okonkwo by unknown gunmen.

Rev Fr Okonkwo, who is also a Pharmacist, was shot dead in Ihiala, Anambra State on Boxing Day, December 26.

The killing of the clergyman came barely two weeks after the abduction of a 75-year-old retired Anglican Archbishop, Most Reverend Godwin Okpala and their whereabouts have remained unknown.

A statement signed by Rev. Fr. Raphael Ezeogu, Chancellor of the Nnewi Diocese, Rev Fr Raphael Ezeonu said Fr. Tobias was killed between 7 pm and 8 pm along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway.

The statement described the incident as a devastating loss but expressed faith in divine consolation.

Born on August 11, 1984, Fr. Tobias was ordained as a priest on July 11, 2015.

At the time of his death, he was serving as the Manager of the Schools of Nursing, Midwifery, and Medical Laboratory at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Ihiala.

The Catholic Diocese of Nnewi called on the faithful to offer prayers and Holy Masses for the eternal rest of Fr. Tobias and to console his bereaved family.

The statement said funeral arrangements of the late Cleric would be announced in due course.

Editor

Jude Ossai (JP) a veteran journalist is a National Diploma holder in Mass Communication from Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State. He also studied at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu and Imo State University, Owerri for his first and second degrees in Mass Communication, respectively. He writes extensively on politics, crime, corruption, climate change, healthcare, human rights, social justice, among others.