Police Arrest 38 Suspects in Enugu Catholic Priest Assassination

The Enugu State Police Command has apprehended 38 suspects believed to be connected to the assassination of Rev. Fr. Mathew Eya, the parish priest of St. Charles Catholic Church in Eha-Ndiagu, Nsukka Diocese. The tragic incident occurred on the evening of September 19, 2025, along the Eha-Ndiagu – Eha-Etiti Road in Nsukka Local Government Area.

Rev. Fr. Eya was returning to his parish from Enugu when gunmen on motorcycles blocked his vehicle near a hospital construction site. The assailants reportedly shot the priest’s vehicle tires to immobilize it before opening fire at close range, fatally wounding the cleric. Preliminary investigations suggest the attack was a targeted assassination rather than a kidnapping attempt.

The Enugu State Police Commissioner, Bitrus Giwa, disclosed that their ongoing operation to apprehend the killers has led to the arrest of 38 suspects, who are currently undergoing detailed screening. The police have continued to comb the bush and raid suspected hideouts connected to the attack, determined to bring all involved to justice.

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Condemning the act, the Enugu State Government described the murder as “cowardly” and “cold-blooded,” extending condolences to the deceased’s family and the Catholic community. Reaffirming commitment to public safety, the government has announced a ₦10 million reward for credible information that leads to the arrest of the perpetrators, whom security agencies suspect to be Fulani herdsmen terrorizing the locality.

The government and security agencies have urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with the law enforcement efforts as the manhunt intensifies. Officials vow no stone will be left unturned to bring the killers to justice and restore peace in the community.