Jos, 23 September, 2025 / 12:30 PM
The Catholic Diocese of Nsukka has denounced the murder of Fr. Matthew Eya as a “senseless act of violence” and a “heinous crime”.
In a statement shared with ACI Africa on Monday, September 22, the Director of Communications of the Nigerian Episcopal See says the late Parish Priest of St. Charles Eha Ndiagu Parish was “tragically shot on the evening of Friday, 19 September 2025, while returning to his parish after a pastoral assignment.”
“This senseless act of violence has left the entire Diocese in deep sorrow. Fr. Matthew was a dedicated shepherd, known for his humility and unwavering commitment to his flock,” Fr. Emmanuel Asadu says in the one-page statement.
Fr. Adadu adds, “At this time, no concrete information has been received regarding the perpetrators or motives behind this heinous crime.”
The official further says that as members of the Nigerian Diocese, they “strongly condemn this brutality and call on the government at all levels and security agencies to intensify investigations to ensure that the culprits are identified and brought to justice.”
He appeals for “calm and vigilance, trusting in God's mercy to guide us through this darkness.”
“Our Diocese remains committed to collaborating with stakeholders to advocate for peace and justice,” the Director of Communications further says.
As a Diocese, Fr. Asadu goes on to say, “we implore God to grant his soul eternal rest and console our Diocese, his family, parishioners, and all who grieve this irreplaceable loss.”
The Nigerian Catholic Priest urges “all people of goodwill to join us in prayers for the peaceful repose of Fr. Matthew and for peace and security of life and property in our nation.”
Nigeria has been experiencing insecurity since 2009, when the Boko Haram insurgency began with the aim of turning the country into an Islamic state.
Since then, the group, one of the largest Islamist groups in Africa, has been orchestrating indiscriminate terrorist attacks on various targets, including religious and political groups as well as civilians.
The insecurity situation in the country has further been complicated by the involvement of the predominantly Muslim Fulani herdsmen, also referred to as the Fulani Militia.
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