A Roman Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Tobias Chukwujekwu Okonkwo was on Thursday shot dead by an unidentified gunman at Ihiala, along the Onitsha –Owerri Road.
This is coming barely three weeks after Archbishop Godwin Okpara was kidnapped by gunmen on December 6 and whose whereabouts is still unknown.
A statement by the Nnewi Catholic Diocese signed by Rev. Fr. Raphael Ezeogu, who is the chancellor of the diocese said: “The Catholic Diocese of Nnewi announces with sorrow, but with stronger faith that our dear Rev. Fr. Tobias Chukwujekwu Okonkwo died yesterday, 26th December 2024.
”He was shot dead by unidentified assailants, at Ihiala, along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway around
7pm and 8pm”
“Till yesterday, Fr. Tobias, a pharmacist and native of Ekwulumili in Nnewi South Local Government Area, was manager of the respective Schools of Nursing, Midwifery and Medical Laboratory at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala”
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“We solicit your prayers and holy masses for his eternal joy. May Fr. Tobias rejoices in paradise for ever Amen.
“May God console the bereaved. Funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course.”
As at the time of filing this report, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochikwu Ikenga could not be reached for comments.
