***Enugu Govt. Condemns Killing, Places N10m Bounty On Killers
There is palpable tension in Enugu State over the gruesome murder of a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Matthew Eya, by some yet-to-be-identified gunmen.
The incident occurred on Friday evening on the Eha-Alumona-Ndiagu Road in Nsukka Local Government Area.
Fr. Eya was until his death the parish priest of St. Charles Catholic Church, Eha-Ndiagu.
Initial reports had suggested that the assailants were kidnappers who attacked the cleric while he was travelling.
A viral post on social media claimed that he was killed instantly after gunmen opened fire on his vehicle, while some passengers were abducted.
However, sources in the community told newsmen on Saturday morning that the killing appeared to be a targeted assassination.
According to one source, the priest was driving alone when the attackers, who rode on motorbikes, intercepted him near the site of the ongoing Type C hospital project.
“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 deceased 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 read.
Enugu condemns killing, places ₦10m bounty on killers
The Enugu State Government strongly condemned the gruesome killing of Rev. Fr. Eya in a statement yesterday.
The government also commiserated with the deceased priest’s immediate family, the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka and the Catholic faithful in general over the tragic incident.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Malachy Agbo, the government described the action as cowardly and cold-blooded.
The government reiterated that security of lives and property remains its priority and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
It added that it would not spare any resources within its reach, including technology and credible intelligence, to track down the criminals and defeat the remnant agents of evil in the state.
Consequently, the Enugu State Government has placed a ₦10 million reward for anyone with credible information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
“Anybody with credible information about the perpetrators should quickly contact 07077451426,” the statement said.
