Gunmen Assassinate Catholic Priest, Fr. Mathew Eya, in Enugu State

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

The Catholic community in Enugu State has been thrown into mourning following the brutal killing of Rev. Fr. Mathew Eya, the parish priest of St. Charles Catholic Church, Eha-Ndiagu, Nsukka Local Government Area. According to reports gathered by Akahi News, the cleric was ambushed and shot dead by yet-to-be-identified gunmen on Friday evening while returning from Enugu, the state capital.

How the Tragic Incident Unfolded

Eyewitnesses revealed that the assailants, riding on a motorcycle, intercepted the priest’s vehicle near an ongoing Type C hospital project site along the road to Eha-Ndiagu.

“They shot at his car tyres, forcing the vehicle to stop. Immediately after immobilising the car, they closed in and fired several shots at him at close range before escaping,” a source reportedly told journalists.

The incident, according to locals, bore the hallmarks of a targeted assassination rather than a random attack or kidnap attempt, raising serious concerns about rising insecurity in Enugu and its surrounding communities.

Fr. Eya, a native of Ugbaike in Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, was reportedly driving alone when the attackers struck. As at press time, neither the Enugu State Police Command nor the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka had issued an official statement. Multiple calls made to the state police spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, were unanswered.

A Growing Wave of Insecurity

The killing of Fr. Eya adds to the long list of attacks on religious leaders and residents in South-East Nigeria, a region grappling with rising cases of kidnapping, assassinations, and violent crimes. Akahi News learnt that the frequency of such incidents has sparked fear among local communities, with many calling on security agencies and the state government to take urgent steps to curb the menace.

Analysts believe that the nature of the attack suggests a well-planned operation. The use of motorcycles, precision targeting, and the absence of any demand for ransom point towards a possible assassination rather than opportunistic violence.

Calls for Justice and Security Reinforcement

As the Catholic faithful mourn the loss of Fr. Eya, advocacy groups and local leaders are urging security agencies to intensify investigations and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“This is a direct attack on the Church, on faith, and on the peace of our communities,” a local youth leader reportedly said. “If such a respected priest can be targeted, it means no one is safe. We need urgent action.”

Security experts have also stressed the need for better intelligence gathering and community policing to prevent future occurrences.

Silence from Authorities Raises Concerns

The lack of immediate response from the police and government officials has raised questions about security readiness in the region. Observers noted that delayed official reactions often fuel speculation and deepen public mistrust in law enforcement.

For now, parishioners and residents await word from both the Catholic Diocese and the state authorities, even as they prepare for what will likely be a deeply emotional funeral for the slain priest.

A Nation in Mourning

Fr. Mathew Eya’s death marks yet another dark day for Nigeria’s Christian community, already reeling from repeated attacks on places of worship and religious leaders in recent years.

As calls for justice grow louder, many hope this tragedy will finally push security agencies and the government to adopt more proactive measures to protect both citizens and clergy in the region.

Akahi News http://www.akahinews.org