BREAKING NEWS: Popular Catholic Priest Murdered in Enugu

Pandemonium has erupted again in Enugu State, as a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Matthew Eya was brutally murdered in coldblood by yet to be identified gunmen.

The horrible incident took place on the evening of Friday, September 19, 2025 along the Eha-Alumona–Eha-Ndiagu Road in Nsukka Local Government Area.

Earlier, reports suggested that the Clergy was attacked by suspected assailants, while travelling on a journey.

While sources in the community told newsmen on Saturday morning that the killing appeared to be a targeted assassination, a viral post which was circulated on social media claimed that the Revd. Father was murdered instantly after gunmen opened fire on his vehicle, and abducted some passengers.

Another eyewitness disclosed that the priest was driving alone when the attackers, who rode on motorbikes, intercepted him near the site of the ongoing Type C hospital project.

“They shot and deflated his tyres, forcing the vehicle to stop. They then approached and shot him multiple times at close range. This does not look like a kidnapping situation,” the source stated.

Fr. Cajetan Iyidobi, the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, who confirmed the tragic incident in a statement, expressed utter sorrow and sadness, describing it as an irreparable loss.

The statement read in brief:

“Shocked to the marrow, it is with crushing pain and sorrow, yet with total submission to the will of the Almighty God and 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.

“He was shot dead yesterday, 19 September 2025, along the 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,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, the late priest was a native of Ugbaike, in Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of the state.

And up until his demise, Fr. Eya was the parish priest of St. Charles Catholic Church, Eha-Ndiagu, in Nsukka.