Eric Patrick
Suspected Gunmen believed to be Fulani herdsmen have attacked three persons including a Catholic priest who was shot along the Makurdi-Naka road in Benue State.
Rev Fr. Solomon Atongo, who serves as the priest in charge of St. John’s Quasi Parish, Jimba, was attacked on Saturday evening.
He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition following the attack.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen by the Chancellor of Makurdi Diocese, Shima Ukpanya.
Ukpanya, in his statement at the weekend, called for prayers for the wounded priest as doctors work to save his life.
Ukpanya said, “I write on behalf of the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Most Revd Wilfred Chikpa Anabge, 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 by suspected terrorist herdsmen,” the statement read.
“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. Respectfully yours in Christ.”
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Atongo was said in the company of two people when the hoodlums struck.
The names of the two other victims who were taken away by the kidnappers were not indicated at the time of this report.
Reports indicated that after the priest was shot he pretended to be dead making the herders reportedly whisk away the other persons to an unknown destination
The Makurdi-Naka road has been under attack and violence in the past two years.
Efforts by our correspondent to reach the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene, proved abortive.