A catholic priest, Reverend Father Solomon Atongo, was reportedly shot at the weekend by suspected armed invaders along the notorious Makurdi-Naka road in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.
The priest, who serves at a catholic parish in Jimba, was reportedly ambushed near Tyolaha village while returning from Naka, the headquarters of Gwer West LGA, accompanied by a native of the area whose whereabouts remain unknown as of Sunday morning.
Confirming the incident, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, called for prayers for the quick recovery of the wounded priest.
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In a message signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Shima Ukpanya and circulated to priests, religious, and lay faithful of the diocese, the bishop urged unity in prayer for Fr. Atongo’s healing.
“I write on behalf of the bishop to request your prayers for the quick recovery of one of our priests, Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongo, who was attacked and shot this evening (Saturday) around Tyolaha, Makurdi-Naka Road,” the statement read.
It added, “Let us unite in prayer for God’s healing upon him as medics try to stabilise him. May Our Lady, Mother of Perpetual Help, intercede for us.”
Meanwhile, a local resident from Jimba, who asked not to be named, condemned the attack as one too many and called on the government to step up efforts to protect lives and property in the area.
He noted the disturbing coincidence that the attack occurred on the anniversary of the burial of two other priests, Rev. Fathers Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha, who were murdered by suspected armed herders in Ayar Mbalom, Gwer East LGA, on April 20, 2018, and buried on May 24 of the same year.
“The attack on Fr. Atongo on the same date cannot be a coincidence. This is a clear pattern. Jimba and its environs have suffered sustained attacks over the years. We ask Nigerians to keep the priest and the abandoned community in their prayers. Enough of the empty promises, we need real action from those in power,” the resident said.
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