Enugu priest Rev. Fr. Mathew Eya shot dead by gunmen on Nsukka road

On Friday evening, September 19, 2025, tragedy struck in Nsukka, Enugu State, when Rev. Fr. Mathew Eya, parish priest of St. Charles Catholic Church, Eha-Ndiagu, was shot dead by gunmen. The shocking killing along the Eha-Alumona–Eha-Ndiagu road has thrown the entire community into mourning and stirred conversations far beyond the Catholic Church.

Eyewitness accounts reveal that the priest was driving his cream-coloured Toyota Corolla when motorcycle-riding assailants intercepted him. Reports say the tyres of his car were deflated before the attackers opened fire, leaving the priest fatally wounded on the spot. The car, riddled with bullets and soaked in blood, became a chilling sight that quickly spread across social media platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

Searches such as “Catholic priest killed in Enugu,” “Nsukka gunmen attack,” and “Rev. Fr. Mathew Eya death” have surged as Nigerians online scramble for details of what really happened. Gossip blogs picked up the story almost instantly, mixing grief with speculation about why a respected priest would be targeted in such a brutal way.

The Catholic Diocese of Nsukka confirmed the sad news through a statement from the Chancellor, Fr. Cajetan Iyidobi, who told parishioners that their beloved priest had been shot dead along the Eha-Alumona–Eha-Ndiagu road. His words left no room for doubt and spread across the internet with thousands of shares. For many in Enugu State, simply searching “Nsukka Diocese statement” or “Eha-Ndiagu road shooting” has become the only way to process the sudden loss.

As often happens with shocking killings in Nigeria, theories and whispers have started flying around. Was this an attempted kidnapping gone wrong? Was it a case of mistaken identity, or something darker? No official motive has been given by the police, and the Enugu State Police Command has yet to release a full report. But already, local gossip circles are buzzing, with some insisting that the gunmen may have been targeting more than just valuables.

For now, one known fact is that another occupant in the vehicle reportedly survived, though details remain sketchy. That single survivor has become a talking point on social media, with many speculating about what the person may have seen or whether they can identify the attackers. Search terms like “survivor of Nsukka priest shooting” and “Eha-Alumona eyewitness” are being typed into Google as Nigerians hunger for updates.

This is not the first time Enugu has faced insecurity, but the killing of a Catholic priest brings the crisis home in a way that feels deeply personal for many. The Catholic Church in Nsukka is a major spiritual anchor for thousands of families, and losing a priest in such violent circumstances has shaken their faith and safety.

Beyond the tragedy, the story has a tragic gossip element. Locals whisper about how the cream Toyota Corolla, once a simple parish car, has now become infamous. Photos of the bullet-ridden vehicle are already circulating, fueling online searches like “Rev. Fr. Mathew Eya car” and “Toyota Corolla priest shooting.” The heartbreaking imagery gives the story an edge that gossip sites cannot resist, while mainstream outlets are treating it as breaking news.

As the Diocese prepares for burial arrangements, parishioners and Nigerians alike continue to wait for answers. For now, the death of Rev. Fr. Mathew Eya remains both a brutal crime and a sad story pulling national attention. It is one of those news moments where grief, gossip, and search engines collide.