Tears as priest shot dead by robbers is buried

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Torrents of tears flowed freely at Saints Simon and Jude Seminary Kuje, Abuja, where a funeral mass was held for Rev. Fr.Michael Akawu, who was shot dead by armed robbers in the Gwagwalada area of the nations capital penultimate Saturday.

John Onayeikan, Catholic bishop of Abuja, who ordained the deceased could not hold back tears, just as many catholic priests, family members, relatives and Catholic faithful wept publicly. Rev. Fr. Akawu, who was just 18 months in priesthood, was until his death the assistant parish priest at Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Parish, Dobi, Abuja.

                                                Late Fr. Akawu Micheal

On Thursday, Late Rev. Akawu’s body left the University Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada for Immaculate Conception Parish Dobi for a mass, from where it departed to Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Garki, for three different masses of the wake.

The funeral mass also held at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral from where activities moved to the priests cemetery at the Ss. Simon and Jude Minor Seminary, Kuje, for internment.

Rev. Fr. Paul Salami, parish priest at Dobi, said the death of the young priest had left the whole parish devastated.

Fr. Salami, who was visibly broken, said the death of his colleague and friend cut so deeply as he prayed God to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.

Akawu was Saturday evening shot dead by yet to be identified gunmen at a supermarket in Gwagwalada where he was said to have gone shopping.