A Popular Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Matthew Eya, was murdered by yet-to-be-identified men along the Eha-Alumona–Eha-Ndiagu Road in Nsukka Local Government Area on Friday, September 20.
Until his death, the cleric was the parish priest of St. Charles Catholic Church, Eha-Ndiagu. According to community sources, the incident occurred while the cleric was returning to his parish along the Eha-Ndiagu road. The assailants, reportedly riding on a motorcycle, intercepted his vehicle and opened fire, killing him instantly.
“They shot and deflated his tyres, forcing the vehicle to stop. They then approached and shot him multiple times at close range. This does not look like a kidnapping situation,” the source stated
The late priest hailed from Ugbaike, in Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of the state.
Confirming the tragic development, the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, Fr. Cajetan Iyidobi, issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
“Shocked to the marrow, it is with crushing pain and sorrow, yet with total submission to the will of the Almighty God and 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 yesterday, 19 September 2025, along the 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,” the statement reads.
