On December 26, Nigerian Catholic priest Father Tobias Chukwujekwu Okonkwo was shot dead on the streets of Ihiala, Nigeria. The Diocese of Nnewi released a statement announcing the death of their priest. The statement says that Father Tobias

“was approached by a group of unidentified persons while driving on the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway, in Ihiala.”

The group of people then shot him several times and murdered the priest. The incident occurred between 7 pm and 8 pm. Father Tobias was not only a priest but also a pharmacist who ran multiple health facilities, such as the nursing and midwifery schools and the medical laboratory of the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Ihiala.

The statement of the diocese also calls the believers to pray and join the Masses for the soul of the murdered priest. Authorities are currently investigating the case, trying to find the perpetrators and the motivation behind the killing of Father Tobias.

Source: Agenzia Fides