The Enugu State Police Command over the weekend announced the arrest of 38 suspects in connection with the assassination of a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Matthew Eya.
FACTSHEET reported that yet to be identified gunmen on Friday evening killed Fr. Eya while he was returning to his St. Charles Catholic Church Eha- Ndiagu, in Eha Amufu area of Enugu State.
The gunmen killed the clergy man along the Eha-Ndiagu – Eha-Etiti Road in Eha-Alumona community of Nsukka Local Government Area on September 19, 2025.
Some village sources have said that the alleged assailants were Fulani herdsmen that have continued to terrorise the area.
Reacting to the crime in a statement on Sunday, the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Bitrus Giwa assured the public that the security operatives were on the trail of the assailants.
According to the statement issued by the Enugu State Police spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, the police gave strong assurances that the perpetrators would be arrested and brought to justice.
Part of the statement reads:
“We suspect that the assailants are still in the area, and we are determined to fish them out,” Giwa said, commiserating with the immediate family of the deceased and the Catholic Church.”
ccording to the statement, the command has deployed operatives to raid criminal hideouts and conduct bush combing exercises in the area, resulting in the arrest of 38 suspects and recovery of incriminating exhibits.
“We have arrested 38 suspects, and they are currently undergoing screening
“We will ensure that justice is served, and the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to book.”
