Nigerian priest commits suicide after US exit order

A Nigerian Catholic priest serving in the United States, Rev. Benjamin Okwy Madu, has died by suicide days after he was directed to leave the country and return to Nigeria, where he had reportedly expressed fears for his safety.

Madu, 54, 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 since 2021.

His R-1 religious worker visa was due to expire on July 29, but his home Diocese of Abakaliki in Ebonyi State had reportedly instructed him to return to Nigeria ahead of a new assignment scheduled to begin on August 4.

In a farewell message shared with parishioners before his death, Madu said leaving the United States was not his choice but was due to circumstances beyond his control.

According to reports, the priest suffered a panic attack while driving to celebrate Mass a few days before his death and received treatment at a hospital emergency department.

Boston Archbishop Richard Henning informed fellow priests that Madu had died by suicide, although the Archdiocese’s public statement announcing his death did not specify the cause.

Authorities in Massachusetts said an investigation into the death is ongoing, adding that there is no suspicion of foul play.

The US-Nigeria Civil Society Coalition claimed Madu had experienced severe emotional distress over the prospect of returning to Nigeria, citing security concerns and challenges surrounding the renewal of his visa under current US immigration policies.

The coalition noted that Madu had openly expressed fears about returning to Nigeria, where Catholic clergies have been increasingly faced kidnappings and violent attacks in recent years.

Born on May 15, 1972, Madu was ordained at St. Theresa Cathedral in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, and had served in the Archdiocese of Boston for nearly six years under successive religious worker visas.

Following his death, Nigerian diaspora and Christian advocacy groups called on the United States government to suspend deportations of Nigerians and consider Temporary Protected Status for Nigerian nationals residing in the country.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or severe emotional distress, reaching out to a trusted person or a qualified mental health professional can help. If there is an immediate risk of harm, contact your local emergency services or a crisis support service right away.