By our reporter 15.7.2026
A Nigerian born Catholic priest Rev. Benjamin Okwy Madu, popularly known as Father Ben, allegedly took his own life because his American visa is scheduled to expire on July 29, and was recalled by his home parish in Abakaliki.
Father Benjamin Madu, 54, was sent to the USA for a missionary journey eight years ago by the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki and had been serving in in Massachusetts. He was told to return home before August 4, but he fell into depression over the imminent expiration of his visa. It was gathered that the often-cheerful Father Ben had been saddened by the death of his close confident Bishop of Abakaliki diocese Peter Nworie Chukwu who died at 60.
Father Ben’s death on July 2 came days after the parish where he served in Massachusetts for four years published what it described as his farewell message to parishioners.
“I will miss the home I found away from home, a mother far from my mother, a father far from my father, and a people far from my own people,” he wrote.
“Sincerely, it is not my wish to return home right now, but circumstances beyond my control have warranted that my time in the United States come to an end,” Father Ben wrote in a statement. “My heart is broken, yet my joy remains.”
Father Ben...suffered mental heath issues.