Anambra: How gunmen killed 40-year-old Catholic priest, Rev Tobias, on Boxing Day
By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
The Catholic Community across the 21 local government areas of Anambra areas in Anambra State is in deep pain following the assassination of Rev. Fr. Tobias Chukwujekwu Okonkwo.
Rev. Father Okonkwo of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi was shot dead by daredevil gunmen on Boxing Day, Thursday, December 26, 2024, in Ihiala local government area of the state.
Investigations revealed that he was gunned down by yet-to-be-identified gunmen at night as he was about the enter the compound where he resided.
Until his murder, Fr Okonkwo was a pharmacist and priest in charge of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala, Anambra State.
A statement signed by Rev. Fr. Raphael Ezeogu, Chancellor of the Nnewi Diocese, said Fr. Tobias was killed between 7 pm and 8 pm along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway.
The statement described the incident as a devastating loss but expressed faith in divine consolation.
The deceased was born on August 11, 1984, was ordained as a priest on July 11, 2015, and died on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Further findings showed that he had visited his mother and other family members on Boxing Day December 26, 2024, at his Ekwulummili country home in the commercial town of Nnewi South LGA and had also joined others in an evening football exercise before returning to Ihiala in the evening when he suddenly met his untimely death.
At the time of his death, Rev Tobias Okonkwo was serving as the Manager of the Schools of Nursing, Midwifery, and Medical Laboratory at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Ihiala.
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.
The senseless killing of Fr. Tobias has sent shockwaves throughout the Catholic community.
The State Governemnt and state police command have therefore been urged to investigate the incident in order to bring the perpetrators to book.
As the Catholic community mourns the loss of the dedicated priest, they take comfort in the words of the statement: “Where sorrow increases, divine consolation increases all the more.”
Confirming the attack and death of the 40-year-old priest, the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, in an obituary dated December 27, 2024, solicited prayers for his eternal joy.
The obituary signed by Rev. Fr. Raphael Ezeogu, Chancellor of Nnewi Diocese, revealed that the deceased priest was born on August 11, 1984; ordained on July 11 2015 and died on December 26, 2024.
“Beloved in the risen Christ; 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, 26th December 2024. He was shot dead by unidentified assailants, at Ihiala, along Onitsha-Owerri Expressway around 7 pm and 8 pm.”
“Till yesterday, (26th December) Fr. Tobias, a pharmacist, and native of Ekwulumili in Nnewi South Local Government Area, was Manager of the respective Schools of Nursing, Midwifery, and Medical Laboratory at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Ihiala.
“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,” the statement read.
Recall that citizens and residents of Anambra have been locked in neck deep spate of armed robberies, kidnappings and other violent crimes in the past few months with the state government in helplessness over the menace.
The State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo had three weeks ago before the Christmas feast at the Governor’s Lodge Amawbia near Awka the state capital launched “Operation Udo Ga Achi” (Operation Peace Reigns) with the donation of 163 new security vehicles meant for distribution to all security commands across the state.
He disclosed that the new security architecture would involve joint operations of both the police, military, NSCDC, and Vigilante outfits with 20 youths each to be recruited across the 21 LGAs into the operation.
The governor declared that Operation Udo Ga Achi would be officially unveiled towards the end of January 2025, a development that heightened the anger of most residents and concerned stakeholders as crimes and criminalities worsened amid killings and kidnappings.
