By John Obi
Gunmen suspected to be” terrorist herdsmen” on Saturday evening shot a Catholic priest along the volatile Makurdi-Naka road in Benue State.
The priest, Rev Fr. Solomom Atongo reportedly serves as the priest in charge of St. John’s Quasi Parish, Jimba. He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition following the attack.
In a statement,the Chancellor of Makurdi Diocese, Shima Ukpanya, called for prayers for the quick recovery of the priest
“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,”
“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.” The Diocesan Chancellor said
Atongo was said to be in the company of two people when the gunmen attacked.After shooting the priest and thinking he was dead, the herders reportedly whisked away the other persons to an unknown destination.
Benue, has lately become the epicenter of herdsmen and farmers attack in what is said to be a deliberate move by herders to sack farming communities and grab their ancestral lands.
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Reports indicate that no fewer than 300 people were killed by gunmen in Benue in the last 3 months
