Okey Maduforo, Awka
A Roman Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Tobias Chukwujekwu Okonkwo, was tragically shot dead by an unidentified gunman on December 26, 2024, at Ihiala, along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway.
This incident occurs amidst concerns over the continued disappearance of Anglican Archbishop Godwin Okpara, who was kidnapped by gunmen on December 6, 2024. His whereabouts remain unknown.
In a statement released by the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi and signed by its Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Raphael Ezeogu, the Diocese expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Rev. Fr. Tobias. The statement read:
“Where sorrow increases, divine consolation increases all the more. The Catholic Diocese of Nnewi announces, with sorrow but with stronger faith, that our dear Rev. Fr. Tobias Chukwujekwu Okonkwo died yesterday, December 26, 2024.
“He was shot dead by unidentified assailants at Ihiala, along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway, between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.”
Rev. Fr. Tobias, a pharmacist and native of Ekwulumili in Nnewi South Local Government Area, was the Manager of the Schools of Nursing, Midwifery, and Medical Laboratory at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala.
The statement further added:
“We solicit your prayers and Holy Masses for his eternal joy. May Fr. Tobias rejoice in Paradise forever. Amen. May God console the bereaved. Funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course.”
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to reach the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, for comments were unsuccessful.
