A Nigerian Catholic priest, Reverend Benjamin Okwy Madu, has died by suicide in the United States after being directed to return to Nigeria, where he had reportedly expressed fears for his safety.
Madu, 54, died on July 2 at his residence in Lynnfield, Massachusetts. He had served as a hospital chaplain and parish priest in the Archdiocese of Boston since 2021 and was nearing the expiration of his religious worker visa.
Church authorities had instructed him to return to Nigeria ahead of a new assignment scheduled to begin in early August. In a farewell message to his parish and during recent remarks to parishioners, Madu said leaving the United States was not his choice but the result of circumstances beyond his control.
According to reports, the priest suffered a panic attack while driving to celebrate Mass just days before his death and received treatment at a local hospital.
The Archdiocese of Boston later confirmed his passing, while an internal message from Archbishop Richard Henning described the death as a suicide. Local authorities said the incident remains under investigation, although foul play is not suspected.
Related News:
Police Bust Criminal Dens in Lagos, Seize 150 Motorcycles, Guns, Illicit Drugs
Police Nab 135 Suspected Cultists, Seize 26 Guns in Major Lagos Crackdown
A coalition of Nigerian diaspora and Christian advocacy organisations said Madu had experienced severe emotional distress over the prospect of returning to southeastern Nigeria, where Catholic clergy have faced kidnappings and deadly attacks in recent years. The group also cited the inability to renew his visa under current US immigration policies as a contributing factor to the circumstances surrounding his death.
Born on May 15, 1972, Madu was ordained at St. Theresa Cathedral in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. He had served in the Archdiocese of Boston for nearly six years under successive religious worker visas and was due to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his priestly ordination just days after his death.
Following the incident, advocacy groups renewed calls on US authorities to suspend deportations of Nigerian nationals and consider temporary protection measures for those who may face significant security risks if forced to return home.
About The Author
