The Catholic Priest overseeing St. John Quasi Parish, Jimba, Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongu, was reportedly shot by suspected armed herdsmen on the notorious Makurdi–Naka road.
The attack occurred on Saturday evening as the priest was returning from Makurdi to his station in Naka.
According to reports, his vehicle ran into an ambush laid by the armed attackers.
Sources reveal that two other occupants of the vehicle were kidnapped and taken into the nearby forest after the gunmen believed the priest had died from gunshot wounds.
“Luckily security personnel got to the scene of the attack and rescued the Priest who had already lost so much blood, and took him to hospital where efforts are being made by medical personnel to stabilise him,” a source disclosed.
Confirming the incident, the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Revd. Fr. Shima Ukpanya, issued a statement calling for spiritual support for the wounded priest.
Part of the statement read, “I write on behalf the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Most Revd. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, to inform and request for 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, LGA, by suspected terrorist herdsmen.
“Let us unite in prayer for God’s healing upon him as the medics try to stabilize him. May our Lady Mother of Perpetual Help intercede for us.”
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Catherine Anene, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
