Category Nigeria News

The brutal murder of Rev. Fr. Along the Alumona–Eha Ndiagu road in the Nsukka Local Government Area, gunmen shot and killed Matthew Eya of the Nsukka Catholic Diocese on Friday.

The state government described the incident as “cowardly” and “cold-blooded,” sending shockwaves through the Catholic community and beyond.

The government expressed its grief and support for the bereaved in a statement released on Saturday, written by Dr. Malachy Agbo, the commissioner for information and communication.

Agbo expressed his condolences to the late priest’s immediate family, the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, and the general Catholic faithful for this tragic incident, and expresses his condolences to the Enugu State Government.

The government reassured the populace that it would continue to take on its responsibilities to protect lives and property while referring to the late priest as a symbol of peace and service.

This administration’s top priority is still “the security of people’s lives and property,” and we firmly commit to prosecuting the culprits.

He reaffirmed that “we will never spare any resources, including technology and reliable intelligence, to detach the state’s remnant agents of evil” and “we will never spare any resources.”

The state government announced a 10-million bounty for anyone who provides credible information that leads to the arrest of those responsible as part of immediate steps to accelerate the investigation.

The Commissioner made an appeal, saying that anyone with reliable information about the perpetrators should dial 07077451426 right away.

Additionally, the government made an additional plea to residents to remain vigilant and composed, stressing that working together with security forces is essential to preventing crime.

The murder of Fr. Many parishioners described the incident as an attack on both the values of peace and the faith he represented, with many describing it as a widespread outcry and mourning in Enugu State and the Catholic Church.

Security personnel are reportedly putting more pressure on surveillance in Nsukka and nearby communities, with murder cases still raging.

The Rev. Catholic priest’s murderer, Rev. Fr. Matthew Eya in Enugu State’s Nsukka Local Government Area.

When the Udenu Area Commander received information about the incident, the police commissioner, CP Mamman Giwa, instructed him to search for the fugitives along with the commander’s Tactical and Operational Squad leaders.

In response to bush searches and raids of various black spots in the area, Police Operatives under the control of the Udenu Area Command have made 38 arrests.

The suspects are currently being screened, according to the police public relations officer in Enugu, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement released on Sunday.

Giwa reiterated the police’s commitment to apprehending the crimes committed and prosecuting those responsible for the heinous crime while commiserating with the deceased’s family and the Catholic Church.

Also read: Gunmen Kill Catholic Priest In Enugu.

Eya, who was the parish priest of St. Charles Catholic Church in Eha-Ndiagu, was allegedly murdered last Friday while returning to his parish along the Eha-Ndiagu Road.

His vehicle was intercepted by the assailants, who reportedly had a motorcycle, and opened fire on him, killing him instantly.

The Catholic Diocese of Nsukka expressed shock over the killing in a statement released on Saturday, confirming the incident.

Read more about the shooting of a Catholic priest in Benue.

Fr. Fr., the diocese’s Chancellor, The statement’s signer, Cajetan Iyidobi, prayed for the deceased’s soul. To rest peacefully.

I inform you of the tragic passing of yet another of our brothers, Rev., with the phrase “Shocked to the marrow, it is with crushing pain and sorrow, yet a total submission to the will of the Almighty God and a firm hope in the resurrection of the dead.” Fr. Eya, Matthew

“He was fatally shot along the Eha-Alumona-Eha-Ndiagu road yesterday, September 19th, 2025.”

Let us pray unwaveringly that God will sustain us through this agonizing period. May peace reign over his soul. Amen. “

A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr., was shot by gunmen in May. Along the tense Makurdi-Naka road in Benue State, Solomom Atongo.

Atongo was in charge of Jimba’s St. John’s Quasi Parish. &nbsp,

In the state’s Sabon Birni Local Government Area, 10 people died in a boat accident, according to the police in Sokoto.

When the incident occurred, the victims were reported to be fleeing a bandit-intense attack in Zalla Bango, a council-remote village.

The residents of Sokoto State Police Command’s spokesman, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed that they drowned despite state and national emergency management agency officials having yet to comment on the accident.

Niger Boat Accident: NIWA Decries Disregard For Safety Regulations, Says Rescue Operations Are Ongoing

According to Rufai, according to Islamic rites, the victims’ ten corpses were found and interred last Friday.

“The incident actually occurred as the villagers attempted to flee bandits,” the statement read. Sadly, all 10 of the passengers on board died, and their bodies have been found and interred in the appropriate manner, he said.

Alhaji Ayuba Hashimu, the head of the Sabon Birni Local Government Area, stated that an investigation was being conducted to ascertain the precise victims’ names.

The accident occurred as villagers were desperately attempting to cross the river to avoid a new wave of attacks, according to Hashimu, who was present at the scene.

The boat “stood on the edge of a toppled culvert, which caused its breaking and eventual sinking.” He stated earlier that “we are doing everything we can to rescue survivors and retrieve the bodies of the deceased.”

Meanwhile, the police have confirmed that a terrorist attack in Lakurawa took place.
Murtala Sa’adu, the head of the village in the Tangaza Local Government Area of the state, and Ibrahim Maikudi, his neighbor, were killed in Santana village.

Recurring Accidents

In Sokoto, boat accidents continue to be a source of concern.

After a boat accident in the state’s Shagari Local Government Area in August, many passengers were feared missing.

Six people died and three others were missing in Garin Faji, Sabon Birni, in the same month as the boat capsized, according to Sabon Birni.

Residents of the area attempted to flee an attack by suspected bandits during the tragedy.

Government workers in Ondo State have demanded a 256, 950 pay raise that would immediately be increased from the previous minimum wage, which the government had set at 73,000.

This was stated in a letter that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliated unions sent to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

According to the workers, the country’s economic situation made it necessary to have more demand.

Read more about Gov. Uzodimma’s Increase in Minimum Wage for Imo Workers: &nbsp

The workers argued that the review was necessary because the current wage was no longer reasonable and that inflation, rising inflation, and rising food, transportation, housing, and healthcare costs were all factors.

The workers urged the governor to appoint a negotiation committee in the letter signed by the state secretary Akin Sunday and the NLC chairman in the state.

In light of the Imo State Government’s approved minimum wage of 104, 000, they claim that the state can meet the demand.

Your Excellency, Ondo State is a significant contributor to Nigeria’s oil revenue, the workers wrote in their letter. Therefore, it is unacceptable that its employees and pensioners continue to live on wages that do not account for the state’s strategic and financial standing.

The government’s and economic productivity are fueled by workers, while pensioners are citizens who had a loyal service in the past and who deserve to live on dignity for the rest of their lives.

The Ondo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliate unions have written in response to the above-mentioned demands for the Ondo State workers’ minimum wage to be reviewed as soon as possible, raising the figure to 256, 950.

This figure will accurately represent the average’s current economic indices and the prevailing cost of survival.

In 15 of the state’s 18 local government areas on Saturday, the Edo State local government by-election was held to fill vacancies in the state’s 18 local government areas.

Despite a previous ex parte order by the High Court barring the commission from holding the elections, the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) conducted the election.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) filed an application in court on Tuesday, and the order was granted.

READ ALSO: EDSIEC, Edo government prevented from conducting planned LG by-elections by the court.

In response, EDSIEC issued a notice to the court asking for the by-election to be canceled in its place.

The election proceeded as planned despite the legal dispute and was intended to fill 59 wards with vacant councillorship positions.

Residents of the Benin metropolis were seen queuing up peacefully and appearing eager to exercise their franchise when they were shown a good voter turnout at some polling stations.

In Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, two suspected kidnappers have been detained by members of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, and Operation Whirl Stroke.

The arrests were made following a successful raid on a suspected kidnapper’s hideout in the Rafin Taba community’s Garau axis on September 19, 2025, according to a military statement.

Based on reliable information regarding the presence of organized crime in the area, the operation was conducted.

During the swift and precise operation, Ibrahim Umaru and Adamu Malam Musa, both of whom were apprehended.

Both individuals are reportedly renowned for their involvement in numerous kidnapping cases both inside and outside of Taraba State.

Read more about the arrest of a suspected terrorist in Taraba.

Initial interrogation revealed that the suspects had confessed to participating in a number of abductions, according to Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, Acting Assistant Army Public Relations for the 6 Brigade, in a statement. Additionally, they acknowledged accepting payment in exchange for large sums of money from victims’ families.

Further, the suspects made it clear that some abductees were frequently taken into Plateau State, particularly into Madam Forest, to avoid security surveillance, crossing state lines.

Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, the commander of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, commended the troops for their vigilance, professionalism, and dedication, and described the successful operation as further proof of the brigade’s resolve to rid Taraba State of the threats that threaten peace, security, and socio-economic development.

He promised to keep running the brigade’s operations in Taraba State with the assistance of other security forces until all criminal networks are completely destroyed and peace is fully restored.

The Nigerian Army also appealed to the general public to support ongoing operations by providing security agencies with timely and reliable information.