The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the killing of Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Tobias Okonkwo, in Anambra State.
In a post on his official X handle on Saturday, Obi expressed his deep sorrow over the tragic death and called for an end to the widespread violence in the country. He described the killing of productive individuals by criminals as “beyond heartbreaking.”
Rev. Fr. Tobias Okonkwo, who served as the Manager of the College of Nursing Sciences at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala, Anambra, was tragically shot and killed along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway on Thursday. The assailants, as of the time of the post, remain unidentified.
Obi shared his grief in his statement, saying, “Today, I woke up to the heartbreaking news of the tragic and unfortunate death of Rev Fr. Tobias Okonkwo, the Manager of the College of Nursing Sciences, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala. Fr. Tobias was shot dead by yet-to-be-identified criminals last night in Ihiala. The constant killing of our very productive men and women by some bloodmongers is beyond heartbreaking.”
He lamented the ongoing insecurity across the nation, noting that in many areas, the blood of innocent Nigerians continues to cry out due to the violence and killings. Obi extended his condolences to Fr. Okonkwo’s family, the College of Nursing Sciences, and the school authorities, praying for the repose of his soul and for healing for the nation.
Rev. Fr. Tobias Okonkwo, born on August 11, 1984, was ordained as a Catholic priest on July 11, 2015. His untimely death has left a significant void in his community and the church.
