Tragedy Strikes as Gunmen Kill Catholic Priest in Anambra
Reverend Father Tobias Chukwujekwu Okonkwo, a Catholic priest and medical professional, was brutally murdered by unidentified gunmen on Thursday, December 26, 2024. The incident occurred in Ihiala, a community in Anambra State, Nigeria.
Father Okonkwo, born on August 11, 1984, was known for his dedication to both his faith and the medical field. Ordained on July 11, 2015, he served as the Manager of the Schools of Nursing, Midwifery, and Medical Laboratory at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala.
In a heartfelt statement, the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi expressed profound sorrow over his death. Reverend Father Raphael Ezeogu, Chancellor of the Diocese, called on the faithful to pray for the soul of the departed priest. “This is an immeasurable loss to the Church and our community,” the statement read.
The killing of Fr. Okonkwo comes amidst heightened insecurity in the region, following the recent abduction of a retired Anglican Archbishop, Most Reverend Godwin Okpala. At 75, Archbishop Okpala remains in the hands of his captors, with his fate still unknown.
Prominent figures, including former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, have reacted to the tragedy. Obi described the murder as “devastating and a reflection of the worsening security challenges facing the country.” He extended condolences to the Catholic Church and the Ihiala community.
The Diocese has announced that funeral arrangements for Father Okonkwo will be communicated in due course. Meanwhile, calls for justice and improved security measures continue to echo across the state.
This tragic incident underscores the growing insecurity in parts of Nigeria and raises urgent questions about the safety of religious leaders and community me
mbers.
