Gunmen kill catholic priest in Enugu

Tragedy has hit the Catholic community in Enugu State following the killing of Rev. Fr. Matthew Eya, the parish priest of St. Charles Catholic Church, Eha-Ndiagu, in Nsukka Local Government Area.

The incident occurred on Friday evening along the Eha-Ndiagu Road, as the priest was returning to his parish. Eyewitnesses said the assailants, who rode on a motorcycle, ambushed his vehicle and shot him dead on the spot.

The Catholic Diocese of Nsukka confirmed the killing in a statement issued on Saturday.

“Shocked to the marrow, it is with crushing pain and sorrow, yet a total submission to the will of the Almighty God and a firm hope in the resurrection of the dead, that I inform you of the tragic death of yet another brother of ours, Rev. Fr. Matthew Eya,” the statement signed by the Chancellor, Fr. Cajetan Iyidobi, read.

“He was shot dead yesterday, 19 September 2025 along Eha-Alumona – Eha-Ndiagu road.

“Let us remain ardent in prayer that God sees us through this period of devastating anguish. May his soul rest in peace. Amen.”

As of the time of filing this report, the Enugu State Police Command had not issued an official reaction to the killing.