News
Nigerian Catholic Priest Dies In Massachusetts Over Fear Of Returning Home
His religious worker visa was due to expire on July 29, while his home Diocese of Abakaliki had directed him to return to Nigeria before then for a new assignment scheduled to begin on August 4.
Reverend Benjamin Okwy Madu, a 54-year-old Nigerian Catholic priest is dead while serving in Massachusetts.
His death was announced by the Archdiocese of Boston, while authorities continue investigating the case.
Madu died on July 2 at his residence in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, according to the Archdiocese of Boston, where he had served as a hospital chaplain and parish priest on Cape Ann since 2021.
His religious worker visa was due to expire on July 29, while his home Diocese of Abakaliki had directed him to return to Nigeria before then for a new assignment scheduled to begin on August 4.
In the reports, Madu had repeatedly said that he did not want to return to Nigeria because he feared for his safety.
In remarks to parishioners and in a farewell message posted on his parish’s website shortly before his death, he said his departure from the United States was beyond his control.
He wrote, “but circumstances beyond my control have warranted that my time in the United States come to an end.”
According to the Boston Globe, Madu suffered a panic attack while driving to celebrate Mass on the Sunday before his death and was treated at a hospital emergency room.
Boston Archbishop Richard Henning later informed fellow priests in an internal email that Madu had “tragically took his own life,” according to a copy of the message seen by the National Catholic Register.
However, the Archdiocese of Boston’s public statement announcing his death did not describe it as a suicide.
The Essex County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that the Massachusetts State Police are investigating the death.
A spokesperson said that foul play was not suspected.
Reacting to the incident, the US-Nigeria Civil Society Coalition alleged that Madu endured severe emotional distress over the prospect of returning to Nigeria, where it said Catholic clergy have increasingly become victims of kidnappings and killings.
In a statement sent to news organisations, the coalition said Madu “suffered acute emotional distress and panic over the prospect of returning to a region where Catholic clergy are actively targeted for kidnapping and assassination,” adding that the suspension of his visa renewal under current US immigration restrictions contributed to the circumstances surrounding his death.
The coalition further stated, “The terrifying reality of these rigid restrictions was made plain on July 2, 2026, when Father Benjamin Okwy Madu, a beloved 54-year-old Nigerian Catholic priest serving the North Shore of Massachusetts, tragically took his own life.
”Born on May 15, 1972, Madu was ordained at St Theresa Cathedral, Abakaliki, in Ebonyi State. He would have marked the 25th anniversary of his priestly ordination on July 7, five days after his death.
The Boston Globe also reported that Archdiocese spokesperson Terrence Donilon said that there was no avenue for extending Madu’s visa under the current US immigration policy affecting Nigeria.
The priest had also spoken publicly about his fear of returning to Nigeria, citing the security situation in which Catholic priests have been kidnapped and killed in recent years.
Parishioners appealed to political leaders in an effort to secure a way for him to remain in the United States, but those efforts were unsuccessful.
News
President Tinubu cheers security agencies for largest rescue operations in Kwara, Niger
One hundred and sixty-three of those rescued were abducted from Woro Community in Kaiama LGA, Kwara State, and 145 from Niger State.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu warmly welcomes the successful rescue of 308 Nigerian citizens who were abducted in different attacks in Niger and Kwara states.
Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President(Information & Strategy) disclosed that one hundred and sixty-three of those rescued were abducted from Woro Community in Kaiama LGA, Kwara State, and 145 from Niger State.
The victims were rescued from the Kainji Lake National Park Forest in New Bussa Local Government Area of Niger State following a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), involving personnel from the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force.
It was the largest rescue operation ever carried out on the same day by the joint security team.
President Tinubu expresses deep appreciation to the leadership and personnel of the security agencies for their bravery, seamless inter-agency collaboration, and dedication, which made the recovery of the victims possible.
“The successful execution of this intelligence-led operation demonstrates the growing efficiency and collaboration among our security services.
I commend our gallant men and women in uniform for their bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigerian lives,” the President stated.
The rescued citizens are receiving first aid and essential medical care at the Medical facility at Wawa Cantonment.
Upon completion of their medical evaluations, they will be formally handed over to their state governments for comprehensive care and reunification with their families.
While applauding the return of the victims, President Tinubu emphasises the imperative of bolstering national security infrastructure to prevent future recurrence.
He directs security agencies and relevant stakeholders to immediately strengthen early warning mechanisms, enhance community-level intelligence gathering, and improve rapid response capabilities to avert similar incidents across the country.
President Tinubu reassures all Nigerians that his administration remains steadfast in its resolve to eliminate security threats, protect vulnerable communities, and restore lasting peace across every corner of the nation.
News
WAEC 2026 results: 1.2 million candidates pass English, Maths
A total of 1,959,668 candidates from 24,207 schools enrolled for the examination across Nigeria, Benin Republic, Cote d’Ivoire and Equatorial Guinea.
The West African Examinations Council, WAEC, officially released the results of the 2026 Computer-Based WASSCE for School Candidates.
Head of WAEC Nigeria National Office, Dr. Amos Josiah Dangut, announced the results on Wednesday in Lagos.
According to him, a total of 1,959,668 candidates from 24,207 schools enrolled for the examination across Nigeria, Benin Republic, Cote d’Ivoire and Equatorial Guinea.
Dr Dangut gave the breakdown of the results as follows: Of those who sat, 1,200,514 candidates — 61.54% — obtained credits and above in five subjects including English and Maths.
1,687,378 candidates — 86.50% — obtained credits and above in minimum of five subjects with or without English and Maths.
News
CGC Adeniyi announces new changes to customs recruitment
The new system would enable unsuccessful applicants to know when the next recruitment exercise would take place instead of waiting for years without certainty.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, says henceforth the Service will conduct its recruitments exercise annually.
The new system would enable unsuccessful applicants to know when the next recruitment exercise would take place instead of waiting for years without certainty.
The CGC disclosed this during the release of the 2024/2025 recruitment exercises, announcing that 3,852 applicants were selected from 573,680 applications received nationwide.
He disclosed that the successful candidates were recruited into the Superintendent, Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres, with all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory represented.
Emphasising on the annual recruitment cycle, Adeniyi said “Recruitment will no longer be an occasional event undertaken every several years. It will be a standing, predictable, yearly process.”
According to him, the 2026 recruitment exercise will begin later this year and be concluded within the same calendar year, from advertisement to publication of the final list.
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