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Reverend Father Tobias Okonkwo, a Catholic priest, was murdered by gunmen in Anambra State.
Priest Okonkwo of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi was shot and killed by gunmen along the Onitsha-Owerri Motorway on Thursday.
In a letter dated December 27, 2024, the Diocesan Secretariat in Nnewi revealed this information, which was signed by Rev. Fr. Raphael Ezeogu, the Chancellor of the Nnewi Diocese.
He stated that on July 11, 2015, Okonkwo received his Catholic priestly ordination. He was born on August 11, 1984.
Additionally, the diocese chancellor asked the Catholic faithful to pray for him and attend Holy Masses for his eternal delight.
“Divine comfort increases in proportion to misery.
The letter read, “With deep sadness and enhanced faith, the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi announces the passing of our beloved Rev. Fr. Tobias Chukwujekwu Okonkwo yesterday, December 26, 2024.”
“He was shot dead at approximately 7 and 8 p.m. by unidentified assailants at Ihiala, along the Onitsha-Owerri Motorway.
“Fr. Tobias, a chemist from Ekwulumili in the Nnewi South Local Government Area, served as the manager of the nursing, midwifery, and medical laboratory schools at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Ihiala until yesterday.
“We ask for your Holy Masses and prayers for his eternal happiness. God bless Fr. Tobias, and may he always be happy in paradise. May God comfort the mourners. In due time, funeral arrangements will be announced.”
The incident has not yet received a response from the police.
Recently, there have been other instances of gunmen targeting clerics. About three weeks ago, a retired Archbishop of the Niger Province and Bishop of Nnewi, Most Rev. Prof. Godwin Okpala, was believed to have disappeared alongside his driver.
