Chukwuneke, a youth motivator and the Chaplain, St. Camillus De Lelis Catholic Chaplaincy, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Okofia, Nnewi Campus, was attacked by suspected Fulani herdsmen on Monday, September 26, 2016, while returning from the burial ceremony of the mother of a fellow priest in Nsukka Diocese, Enugu State.
In company with two other priests, Rev. Prof. Jude Ezeokanna and Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Dim, the attack, which happened within the Uzo-Uwani axis of the old Adani-Anambra road, left in its wake sorrows, tears and blood.
Chukwuneke, who was driving, was shot in the head by one of the herdsmen and in a staggering deadly fit, lost control of the steering and the vehicle ran into a ditch. Though he escaped with serious injuries, the exhaust pipe of the vehicle caused serious burns on his colleague, Ezeokanna, who attempted to jump out of the vehicle while the attack lasted. Dim was forcefully abducted by the attackers.
Jude Chetanna Chukwuneke
Through intelligence gathering and spirited efforts, the kidnappers released Dim two days after while Chukwuneke and Ezeokanna began the tortuous battle to save their lives at different hospitals.
After undergoing treatment at different hospitals in Nsukka, Enugu, Anambra and also abroad, which lasted for four months, Chukwuneke, who still has some pellets lodged in his head, gathered friends and well wishers recently at the College auditorium in Nnewi for a thanksgiving service.
At the ceremony, which attracted several dignitaries including Anambra Governor, Willie Obiano who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha; Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ebonyi State, Prof. Bernard Odoh; former SSG, Anambra State, Oseloka Obaze; and business mogul, Chief Cletus Ibeto; among others, Chukwuneke told the pathetic story of his encounter with death and how God miraculously saved him. “I’m resting in peace but still alive,” he said pathetically.
Narrating his ordeal inside the capacity filled auditorium, Chukwuneke recalled how on that fateful day they had finished their condolence visit to Nsukka and were chatting in the vehicle on their way back to Anambra when suddenly, few minutes after passing a police check point, they came upon a figure on the road holding a gun about 200 metres ahead. He said he looked back and spotted another figure, also some 200 metres behind. Sensing trouble, he decided to take the option of escaping by engaging the reverse gear. This was the last thing he recalled doing.
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