For the Catholic family, it was yet another black weekend as Rev. Fr. Matthew Eya was shot and killed last Friday by gunmen along the Eha-Alumona – Eha-Ndiagu road in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Rev. Fr. Eya, who served as the parish priest of St. Charles Catholic Church, Eha-Ndiagu, was said to be travelling from Enugu when his vehicle was intercepted by the blood-thirsty gang riding motorcycles.
It was gathered that the men from the pit of hell shot at the vehicle’s tires, forcing it to stop, before firing a volley of shots at close range.
The incident, according to sources, appears to be pure assassination rather than a kidnapping. He was said to be alone in the vehicle when the killers struck.
The incident was confirmed by the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, Fr. Cajetan Iyidobi, who urged the Catholic faithful to remain ardent in prayer during this period of anguish. He expressed shock and sorrow over the tragic death, while affirming hope in the resurrection of the dead.
He stated: “Shocked to the marrow, it is with crushing pain and sorrow, yet a total submission to the will of the Almighty God and a 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 on (Friday), September 19, 2025 along 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.”
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government has condemned Rev. Fr. Eya’s assassination by unknown gunmen while commiserating with the late priest’s immediate family, the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, and indeed the Catholic faithful in general.
The Commissioner for Information and Communication in the state, Dr. Malachy Agbo, in a statement, described the attack as cowardly and cold-blooded.
The state government, therefore, placed a N10 million reward for anyone with credible information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
Credit: The Sun