A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongo, was shot on Sunday evening by suspected herdsmen along the Makurdi-Naka road in Benue State. The incident occurred as he was returning from Naka, the headquarters of Gwer West Local Government Area.
According to a statement by Rev. Joseph Beba, Chairman of the Diocesan Priests, Fr. Atongo was ambushed by gunmen while in transit. He is the parish priest of St. John’s Quasi Parish, Jimba.
Fr. Atongo sustained serious gunshot wounds and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
Eyewitnesses say the attackers believed the priest had died and went on to abduct the two others who were travelling with him. Their whereabouts remain unknown at the time of this report.
The Makurdi-Naka road has long been known as a dangerous route, with regular cases of kidnapping and killings over the past two years. Local residents and religious leaders have repeatedly called for improved security in the area.
