BREAKING: Tragedy as Gunmen Shoot Catholic Priest Dead in Anambra

A Catholic Reverend Father Tobias Chukwujekwu Okonkwo was shot dead by gunmen in Ihiala in Anambra state.

Fr. Tobias was killed between 7 pm and 8 pm along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway on Boxing Day, Thursday, December 26.

The Chancellor of the Nnewi Diocese, Rev Fr Raphael Ezeonu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, December 27.

According to Vanguard, Ezeobu described the tragic incident as a devastating loss but expressed faith in divine consolation.

Rev Fr Okonkwo, who is also a pharmacist was the Manager of the Schools of Nursing, Midwifery, and Medical Laboratory at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Ihiala.

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

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

The Diocese said funeral arrangements of Fr Okonkwo will be announced in due course.

Gunmen kill Catholic priest 10 months after ordination

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that tragedy struck the Benin Archdiocese of the Catholic church as Reverend Father Charles Igechi was killed by gunmen.

The Catholic priest was shot dead on his way to his place of primary assignment on Wednesday, June 8, 2023 in Benin City, Edo state capital.

It was gathered that the deceased priest was killed 10 months after he was ordained in August 2022.