Catholic Priests Rev. Father Tobias Okonkwo Killed By Gunmen In Anambra

The Catholic priest of Nnewi Diocese in Anambra State, Rev. Father Tobias Okonkwo, has been shot dead by yet-to-be-identified gunmen along the ever busy Owerri-Onitsha expressway.
Didactic Information Hut gathered that the 40-year-old priest reportedly died between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Rev Fr Tobias Okonkwo’s death was confirmed by the Chancellor of Nnewi Diocese, Rev. Fr. Raphael Ezeogu, in an official obituary on Friday.
Before his sudden death, Rev Fr. Okonkwo was a pharmacist and was the priest in charge of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala. He also managed the hospital’s Schools of Nursing, Midwifery, and Medical Laboratory.
The statement reads : “Born: August 11, 1984; Ordained: July 11, 2015, Died: December 26, 2024. 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 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course.
Till yesterday, 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.”
The news of Fr. Okonkwo’s death has solicited mourning reactions throughout the community, Church and nationwide as many key individuals react to the sad incident and called for improved security across the South-East and Nigeria at large.