A correspondent of The PUNCH Newspaper in Delta State, Matthew Ochei, has died.
Ochei died at the age of 43.
He passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at about 2 a.m., according to his wife, Uche, who confirmed the development to journalists.
She disclosed that his remains have been deposited at a morgue in Ukwunzu, his hometown in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Until his death, Ochei was the Vice Chairman of the Asaba Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
The news of his passing sent shock waves across the media community in the state, with colleagues describing the incident as a “Black Tuesday for Delta journalists.”
In a condolence message, the Chief Press Secretary to the Delta State Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, described Ochei’s sudden death as “very sad and painful.”
Similarly, a journalist with The Guardian, Monday Osanyande, referred to the day as a “Black Tuesday for journalists in the state.”
Also paying tribute, Sam Erhunmwunsee of Radio Nigeria said, “It is a big loss to the Asaba Correspondents Chapel and NUJ Delta. But God knows why it happened. I sympathise with his immediate family. May the grace of God continue to prevail over us.”
The Managing Editor of Niger Delta Today, Mr Theophilus Onojeghen, expressed grief over the loss, saying, “Ochei!!! Why travel so young? Who protects your beautiful family? This is sad.”
As of the time of filing this report, the family had yet to announce the burial arrangements.
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