The Catholic Diocese of Nnewi in Anambra State has been thrown into mourning following the brutal killing of her Priest, Rev Fr. Tobias Okonkwo by unknown gunmen.

The church on Friday announced the brutal murder of Fr.Okonkwo, a devoted priest and pharmacist, who was shot dead in Ihiala, Anambra State, on Boxing Day, December 26, 2024.

The sad news came barely two weeks after the abduction of a 75-year-old retired Anglican Archbishop, Most Reverend Godwin Okpala, of the Nnewi Diocese, whose whereabouts have remained unknown.

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Chancellor of the Nnewi Diocese, Rev. Fr. Raphael Ezeogu, in a statement, said that Fr Tobias was killed between 7pm and 8:00 pm along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway.

He described the incident as a devastating loss but expressed faith in divine consolation.

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

At the time of his death, he was serving as the Manager of the Schools of Nursing, Midwifery, and Medical Laboratory at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Ihiala.

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

Ezeogu said funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

The killing of Fr. Tobias has sent shockwaves throughout the community with a call on the authorities to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.
As the Catholic community mourns the priest’s death, they take comfort in the words of Ezeogu who said, “Where sorrow increases, divine consolation increases all the more.”