Seven Capuchin Friars killed in road accident in Nigeria

by Catholic Trends

May 6, 2025

in Africa

Reading Time: 1 min read

Seven Capuchin Friars killed in road accident in Nigeria

File photo

VIEWS

Share on Facebook Share on WhatsApp Share on X Share on Telegram

The Capuchin Order in Nigeria is mourning the devastating loss of seven of its friars who died in a tragic road accident on the evening of May 3, 2025. The friars, members of the St. Francis and St. Clare Custody of Nigeria, were en route from their Ridgeway Community in Enugu to Obudu, Cross River State, when the incident occurred.

In an official statement released on May 4 by Br. John-Kennedy Anyanwu, OFM Cap, the Capuchin Friars confirmed that thirteen brothers were traveling together at the time of the accident. While six sustained various injuries and are currently receiving treatment in Enugu, seven lost their lives in the crash.

The deceased friars are Br. Somadina Ibe-Ojuludu, OFM Cap, Br. Chinedu Nwachukwu, OFM Cap, Br. Marcel Ezenwafor, OFM Cap, Br. Gerald Nwogueze, OFM Cap, Br. Kingsley Nwosu, OFM Cap, Br. Wilfred Aleke, OFM Cap and Br. Chukwudi Obueze, OFM Cap.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.

We came together to bring fire – COSRA founder recalls origins, predicts future growth

Accra COSRA leadership visits founder Monsignor Jonathan Ankrah

Bishop Emeritus of Nigeria’s Warri Diocese, John Okeoghene Afareha, passes on

Tight lips at the Vatican as staff take oath of secrecy ahead of conclave

We came together to bring fire – COSRA founder recalls origins, predicts future growth

May 20, 2026

Accra COSRA leadership visits founder Monsignor Jonathan Ankrah

May 20, 2026

Bishop Emeritus, Most Rev. John Okeoghene Afareha

Bishop Emeritus of Nigeria’s Warri Diocese, John Okeoghene Afareha, passes on

January 19, 2026

Late Pontiff's popemobile transformed, heads to Gaza as emergency clinic

Laity Council in Ghana elects national leaders

Discussion about this post

Daily Reading

Saint Bartholomew, apostle - Feast

Book of Revelation 21,9b-14.

The angel spoke to me, saying, "Come... here. I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."
He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.
It gleamed with the splendor of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal.
It had a massive, high wall, with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed and on which names were inscribed, (the names) of the twelve tribes of the Israelites.
There were three gates facing east, three north, three south, and three west.
The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Psalms 145(144),10-11.12-13ab.17-18.

Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and... let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.

Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.

The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 1,45-51.

Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We... have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth."
But Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him."
Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree."
Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."
Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this."
And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB
To receive the Gospel every morning in your mailbox, subscribe here: dailygospel.org

Go to Daily Readings