Tragedy has hit the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi in Anambra, following the reported killing of Rev. Tobias Okonkwo by yet-to-be-identified gunmen. Rev Okonkwo was the Manager of the College of Nursing Sciences, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala.

The Chancellor, Nnewi Diocese, Rev. Raphael Ezeogu, disclosed the incident in a statement issued in Onitsha and made available to newsmen on Friday.

Ezeogu stated that Okonkwo was shot dead by the gunmen on the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway at about 7:00 p.m. on Thursday.

The statement solicited prayers and Holy Masses from the catholic faithful for the deceased eternal joy.

According to Ezeogu, where sorrow increases, divine consolation increases all the more.

“He stated: “The Catholic Diocese of Nnewi announces, with sorrow, but with stronger faith, that our dear Rev. Fr. Tobias Chukwujekwu Okonkwo died December 26.

“He was shot dead by unidentified assailants at Ihiala, on the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway, between 7p.m. and 8 p.m.

“We solicit your prayers and Holy Masses for his eternal joy.

“May Fr. Tobias rejoice in Paradise for ever Amen.

“May God console the bereaved,” the cleric stated.

He further stated that funeral arrangements would be communicated in due course.

Efforts made to get the reaction of the Police Spokesman in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, proved abortive as calls and messages sent to his phone could not deliver at the time of filing the report.

Peter Obi while mourning the deceased wrote on his X handle: Today, I woke up to the heartbreaking news of the tragic and unfortunate death of Rev Fr. Tobias Okonkwo, the Manager of the College of Nursing Sciences, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala. Fr Tobias was shot dead by yet-be-identified criminals last night in Ihiala, Anambra. The constant killing of our very productive men and women by some bloodmongers is beyond heartbreaking. In many parts of the nation, the blood of our brothers and sisters whose lives were cut short by insecurity, continue to cry. How many more lives will be wasted before we rise to action and put an end to this menace contending with our future as a nation? As one who has continuously visited and partnered with the College of Nursing Sciences, Ihiala, I understand how devastating this incident is to the College community. I extend my sincere condolences to his immediate family, the proprietor, the entire management, staff, and students of the College of Nursing Sciences, Ihiala. May God grant him eternal rest and grant us all the fortitude to bear his sad irreplaceable loss.