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Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has spoken out against the gruesome killing of a Catholic priest in Anambra State, condemning the act in the strongest terms. Obi lamented the incident as a dark reflection of the deteriorating security situation in the region.
He called on both state and federal authorities to prioritize the safety of citizens and work collaboratively to dismantle the root causes of such violence.
In a message shared through his official X account on Saturday, Peter Obi passionately appealed for an immediate halt to the relentless bloodshed afflicting the nation. The former Labour Party presidential candidate emphasized the urgent need for proactive measures to restore peace and security across Nigeria.
Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, condemned the senseless killings of Nigeria’s productive citizens, calling it an incomprehensible tragedy. He emphasized that these bloodthirsty acts, targeting individuals who are crucial to the country’s prosperity, were a heavy blow to the nation’s collective heart.
It was earlier reported that the priest, Rev Fr. Tobias Okonkwo, who was the Manager of the College of Nursing Sciences, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala, Anambra, was killed along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway on Thursday.
Reacting, Obi wrote, “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.
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“Fr Tobias was shot dead by yet-to-be-identified criminals last night in Ihiala, Anambra. The constant killing of our very productive men and women by some bloodmongers is beyond heartbreaking.”
According to him, in many parts of the nation, the blood of Nigerians, whose lives were cut short by insecurity, continues to cry.
He extended his condolences to the family of the victim and the school authorities.
“I extend my sincere condolences to his immediate family, the proprietor, the entire management, staff, and students of the College of Nursing Sciences, Ihiala.
“May God grant him eternal rest and grant us all the fortitude to bear his sad irreplaceable loss. May God heal our bleeding nation,” he added.
It was gathered that the cleric was born on August 11, 1984, and ordained a Catholic priest on July 11, 2015.
