A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongo, is battling for his life at an undisclosed hospital after he was shot on Saturday by gunmen suspected to be armed herders along the Makurdi/Naka Road in the Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.
Atongo, the priest of Jimba parish, was reportedly driving along the notorious Makurdi/Naka road when he was shot around Tyolaha by suspected armed herders.
He was later discovered by a security operative patrolling the area and who took him to an undisclosed hospital.
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Most Rev Wilfred Anagbe, has called for urgent prayers for the priest.
In a letter dated Saturday, May 24, 2025, signed by the Chancellor, Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Rev Fr Shima Ukpanya, on behalf of the bishop, he said the request for the prayer was for the quick recovery of the priest.
The letter read partly, “I write on behalf of Bishop Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Most Rev Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, for your prayer for the quick recovery of one of our priests, Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongo, who was attacked and shot this evening around Tyolaha, Makurdi/Naka Road, Gwer West Local Government Area by suspected terrorist herders.”
The Benue State Police Command spokesperson, Catherine Anene, had yet to comment on the incident as at the time of filing this report.
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