Catholic Priest Killed in Enugu State, Nigeria Amid Ongoing Insecurity

A Catholic priest, Matthew Eya, was shot dead by gunmen on Friday evening along the Eha-Alumonah-Eha-Ndiagu Road in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State. The priest, who was returning from Enugu Urban, was ambushed by the attackers, who were on a motorcycle, and shot at close range after deflating his car's tyres. Witnesses initially thought the attackers were kidnappers, but they seem to have been motivated by a desire to kill the priest.

Key Takeaways:

• The Catholic priest, Matthew Eya, was shot dead by gunmen on Friday evening along the Eha-Alumonah-Eha-Ndiagu Road in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.
• The priest was returning from Enugu Urban and was ambushed by the attackers, who were on a motorcycle.
• Witnesses reported that the attackers deflated the priest's car tyres before shooting him at close range.
• The attackers seemed to have been motivated by a desire to kill the priest, as they were not interested in kidnapping him.
• The Catholic Diocese of Nsukka has confirmed the killing and described it as "devastating".
• The diocese's chancellor, Cajetan Iyidobi, asked Catholic faithful and all Christians to pray for the repose of the cleric's soul.
• Nigeria's South-east region has been experiencing insecurity, with many attributing the attacks to the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
• However, IPOB has repeatedly denied its involvement in the attacks.

Statistics:

• 1 Catholic priest, Matthew Eya, was killed in the attack.
• The attack occurred on Friday evening along the Eha-Alumonah-Eha-Ndiagu Road in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State.
• The attackers were on a motorcycle and shot at the priest at close range.
• The priest's car tyres were deflated before he was shot.

Sources:

• PREMIUM TIMES
• Cajetan Iyidobi, chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, in a statement on Saturday.