The late Rev. Fr. Tobias Okonkwo
By Martin Elechi
Rev. Fr. Tobias Okonkwo of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi in Anambra has been killed by unknown assailants.
This is contained in a statement issued by Rev. Fr. Raphael Ezeogu, Chancellor of the Diocese.
The statement said the deceased priest, who was also a pharmacist, was shot dead while traveling on Dec. 26 between 7pm and 8pm on the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway.
It described the incident as a devastating loss but expressed faith in divine consolation.
“At the time of his death, he 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 calls on the faithful to offer prayers and Holy Masses for the eternal rest of Fr. Okonkwo, and to console his bereaved family.
“Funeral arrangements of the late Fr. Okonkwo will be announced in due course,” the statement said.
Periscope International reports that the killing of Fr. Okonkwo came barely two weeks after the abduction of a 75-year-old retired Anglican Archbishop, Most Rev. Godwin Okpala.
Rev. Okpala’s whereabouts remain unknown to date.
