Catholic Priest, Solomon Atongu shot by suspected herdsmen along Makurdi–Naka Road

Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongu, the priest in charge of St. John Quasi Parish in Jimba, has reportedly been shot by suspected armed herdsmen along the notorious Makurdi–Naka road in Benue State.

The attack occurred on Saturday evening as the priest was returning to his duty post in Naka from Makurdi. He was ambushed by the armed men near Tyolaha, in Gwer West Local Government Area.

Sources revealed that the assailants opened fire on the vehicle, hitting the priest, and abducted two other occupants, whom they dragged into the surrounding forest after assuming the clergyman had died from the gunshot wounds.

“Fortunately, security personnel arrived at the scene in time to rescue the priest, who had lost a significant amount of blood. He was rushed to the hospital, where medical professionals are working to stabilize him,” a source said.

In a statement confirming the incident, the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Rev. Fr. Shima Ukpanya, called for prayers for the swift recovery of Fr. Atongu.

“I write on behalf of the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Most Rev. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, to request your prayers for the quick recovery of one of our priests, Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongu, who was attacked and shot this evening around Tyolaha on the Makurdi–Naka Road by suspected terrorist herdsmen,” the statement read.

“Let us unite in prayer for God’s healing upon him as the medics try to stabilize him. May Our Lady, Mother of Perpetual Help, intercede for us.”

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent Catherine Anene, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.