POPE LEO XIV
Subscribe to our free daily newsletter
Seven brothers from the Custody of St. Francis and St. Clare of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin in Nigeria were killed on May 3, 2025, in a bus accident.
“With deep sorrow but in the hope of the resurrection, the Capuchin Friars of Nigerian Custody announce the death of some of our brothers in a tragic incident that took place on the evening of May 3, 2025," said a statement from Br. John Kennedy Anyanwu, OFM Cap.
Anyanwu is the custos of the Capuchin Friary in Enugu.
"Thirteen of our brothers departed the Ridgeway Community, Enugu State, for Obudu, Cross Rivers State, Nigeria, but unfortunately had a fatal accident," he said.
The six surviving brothers "sustained various degrees of injuries" from the bus accident, and are in the hospital, said Anyanwu.
The deceased were identified as 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.
Among those killed was the guardian and councilor of the Custody, the bursar of the Custody, a post novice, and four theology students.
“We entrust their souls to the merciful love of God,” said Anyanwu.
