A Nigerian Catholic priest serving in the United States, Rev. Benjamin Okwy Madu, has died by suicide just days after he was directed to leave the country and return to Nigeria, where he had reportedly expressed fears about his safety.
Rev. 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. However, his home Diocese of Abakaliki in Ebonyi State had instructed him to return to Nigeria ahead of a new pastoral assignment scheduled to begin on August 4.
In a message to fellow priests, Boston Archbishop Richard Henning disclosed that Rev. Madu died by suicide, although the Archdiocese’s public announcement of his death did not state the cause.
Law enforcement authorities in Massachusetts said an investigation into the incident is ongoing, adding that there is no indication of foul play.
According to the US-Nigeria Civil Society Coalition, Rev. Madu had suffered severe emotional distress over the prospect of returning to Nigeria. The group said he had expressed concerns about his personal safety if he returned and was also troubled by uncertainties surrounding the renewal of his visa under current US immigration policies.
Following his death, Christian advocacy organisations urged the United States government to suspend deportations of Nigerians and consider granting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to eligible Nigerian nationals residing in the country, citing worsening security conditions in parts of Nigeria.
If you or someone you know is experiencing severe emotional distress or thoughts of self-harm, 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 without delay.