Tragedy in Anambra: Reverend Father Tobias Okonkwo Shot Dead

The Catholic Diocese of Nnewi has confirmed the killing of Reverend Father Tobias Chukwujekwu Okonkwo by unidentified gunmen in Ihiala, Anambra State, on Boxing Day.

Fr. Okonkwo, a Catholic priest and pharmacist, was born on August 11, 1984, and ordained on July 11, 2015. At the time of his death, he was the Manager of the Schools of Nursing, Midwifery, and Medical Laboratory at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala.

In a statement, the Diocese described his death as a devastating loss but expressed faith in divine consolation. It called on the faithful to offer prayers and Holy Masses for the repose of Fr. Okonkwo’s soul and to support his grieving family.

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This tragic killing follows the abduction of Most Reverend Godwin Okpala, a 75-year-old retired Anglican Archbishop, who was kidnapped nearly two weeks ago. The whereabouts of Archbishop Okpala remain unknown, adding to the region’s mounting security concerns.

The Diocese assured that funeral arrangements for Fr. Okonkwo would be announced in due course.

These back-to-back incidents have intensified fears within communities and religious institutions in Anambra State, where insecurity continues to claim lives and disrupt peace. Religious leaders and citizens alike are calling for swift action to address the growing violence in the area.

The loss of Fr. Okonkwo, a dedicated servant of God and the community, leaves a void in the Diocese and among those he served. The call for justice and increased security has become more urgent as the region grapples with grief and uncertainty.

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