Priest Shot, 2 Abducted In Benue

A Catholic Priest in Charge of St. John Quasi Parish, Jimba, Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongu, has been shot by suspected armed herdsmen along the Makurdi–Naka road. At the same time, the two other occupants of the vehicle were abducted alive.

Our correspondent gathered that Fr. Atongu, who was driving in his car from Makurdi to his parish in Jimba, was ambushed by the armed herders who, upon sighting the priest‘s car, started shooting at his vehicle, which finally stopped on the road.

It was also gathered from a local source that the herders, on noticing the car was not moving again, came out from the bush and abducted the two other occupants of the vehicle and left Fr. Atongu, who was bleeding on the ground, thinking he was dead.

The source said security personnel acting on a distress call swiftly came to the scene of the attack and rescued the Priest who had already lost so much blood, and took him to the hospital where efforts are being made by medical personnel to stabilise him,” he said.

Confirming the attack statement, the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Revd. Fr. Shima Ukpanya called for prayers for his quick recovery.

He said, “I write on behalf of the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, His Lordship Most Revd. Wilfred Anagbe, to inform and request your prayers for the quick recovery of one of our Priests, Revd. Fr. Solomon Atongo, who was attacked and shot this evening around Tyolaha, Makurdi-Naka Road, Gwer West Local Government Area, by suspected terrorist herdsmen.

“Let us unite in prayer for God’s healing upon him as the medics try to stabilise him. May our Lady Mother of Perpetual Help intercede for us.”

Efforts to speak with the Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, did not yield results, as her calls made to her phone number was not responded to.