A Catholic priest in Ibadan, Oyo State, was shot and wounded on Monday by armed robbers who trailed him from a bank and robbed him of N250,000. The incident, which has raised concerns about the safety of residents in the area, occurred in broad daylight as the priest was on his way home after withdrawing money from a commercial bank.
The victim, identified as Rev. Father Emmanuel Ogboli, is the priest of Saints Felix Catholic Church, Oluyole, in Ibadan. Sources say the attack took place around noon, shortly after Father Ogboli withdrew the sum of N250,000 from Zenith Bank, located at the busy Ring Road in Ibadan. The assailants, who appeared to have been monitoring him closely, ambushed him at the Rhema Bridge area while he was riding on a commercial motorcycle.
According to eyewitness reports, the two gunmen were also riding on a motorcycle when they intercepted the priest’s bike. Without warning, one of the assailants opened fire, hitting Father Ogboli in the left thigh. In a swift motion, the robbers snatched the cash the priest had just withdrawn, leaving him bleeding and helpless at the scene.
A source who witnessed the attack described the scene as chaotic and frightening. “It happened so fast. The men just pulled up alongside the priest’s motorcycle, shot him in the leg, and grabbed the money before speeding off,” the source said. “It was clear that the attackers had been waiting for him. They knew exactly what they were doing.”
The news of the shooting quickly spread, and local residents immediately contacted the police. Officers from the Oluyole Division of the Nigeria Police Force responded swiftly to the distress call, with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) leading the operation. The police arrived at the scene within minutes and rushed Father Ogboli to a nearby hospital.
The priest was first taken to Divine Hospital, Oluyole, where he was given initial medical attention. However, due to the severity of his injuries, he was later referred to Adeoyo State Hospital for further treatment.
A police spokesperson confirmed that Father Ogboli was in stable condition, though he was still receiving medical care. “The priest was shot in the thigh, and we are doing everything we can to assist in his recovery. Our officers have launched an investigation and a manhunt for the criminals who committed this heinous act,” the spokesperson said.
Following the incident, the police have launched a full-scale investigation into the attack. The authorities are working to gather information that may lead to the identification and capture of the suspects.
The brazen daylight attack has raised concerns about the increasing insecurity in Ibadan and the surrounding areas. Locals have expressed their frustration, especially with the rise of armed robbery and other violent crimes in the city.
This attack is the latest in a series of incidents that have rocked the city in recent months. There have been reports of increasing street robberies, car-jackings, and attacks on individuals in broad daylight. Many residents have called for more stringent security measures to combat these rising crimes.
“We are scared to even go out now,” said Olufunke Adeyemi, a resident of Oluyole. “This kind of thing is happening too often. People should be able to walk around their neighborhoods without fear. The police need to do more to protect us.”
Another resident, who did not wish to be named, expressed similar concerns. “It’s become normal for people to be robbed on the streets. It’s not just the rich people; everyone is a target. Something has to be done about this.”
The incident involving Father Ogboli also highlights a worrying trend of bank-related crimes, particularly targeting individuals who have withdrawn large sums of money. In the past year, there have been several reports of criminals monitoring bank customers after they withdraw cash, following them to secluded areas, and robbing them.
In light of the increasing crime rates, there have been growing calls for improved security measures, especially in commercial areas like Ring Road, where the attack on Father Ogboli took place. Some have suggested that banks should take more responsibility in ensuring the safety of their customers, possibly by providing more visible security and monitoring the movements of customers who withdraw large sums of money.
Local authorities are also being urged to increase patrols in key areas, such as busy streets, marketplaces, and bank zones, to deter criminals from carrying out such acts of violence.
