Gunmen have shot dead a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Mathew Eya, in Eha-Ndiagu community, Eha-Alumonah, in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Fr. Eya, the parish priest of St. Charles Catholic Church, was killed on Friday evening while returning from Enugu, the state capital.
According to sources, the attackers were riding a motorcycle when they stopped the priest’s vehicle near the site of an ongoing Type C hospital project in the community. The assailants reportedly shot at the vehicle’s tires to force it to stop before opening fire on the priest at close range.
Witnesses said the priest was alone in the car when the attack happened. Although some initially suspected a kidnapping attempt, further reports suggest it was a targeted assassination, as no abduction took place.
One source who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “He was coming back from Enugu. The gunmen on a motorbike closed in on him close to where the hospital project is ongoing. They shot the tires of his vehicle, forcing it to stop. Then they got close and shot him several times at close range. So, it doesn’t look like a kidnapping situation.”
Fr. Mathew Eya was a native of Ugbaike in Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State. He was well respected in the Nsukka Diocese and known for his dedication to his parishioners.
The Catholic Diocese of Nsukka has not yet issued an official statement, and the police are still investigating the killing. As of press time, security agencies had not confirmed any arrests or suspects.
Enugu State, like many parts of Nigeria, has faced challenges with insecurity in recent years. Kidnappings, armed robberies, and violent attacks by unknown gunmen have been reported, causing fear among residents. Clerics and religious leaders, who often play vital roles in community peacebuilding, have sometimes been targeted in these attacks.
Fr. Eya’s assassination is the latest in a series of violent incidents in the region, raising concerns about the safety of religious leaders and the general population. The Catholic Church in Nigeria has repeatedly called on the government to strengthen security to protect its clergy and members.
The ongoing Type C hospital project near where the killing occurred is part of the state’s efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure in rural communities. The project is seen as a vital development for Eha-Ndiagu and surrounding areas.
Residents of Eha-Ndiagu have expressed shock and sadness over the killing of the priest. Many called for urgent action from the government to bring the killers to justice and restore peace to the community.
