Catholic Priest Shot By Gunmen In Benue State.
A Catholic priest, Reverend Father Solomon Atongo, was shot by suspected armed herdsmen on Saturday evening along the volatile Makurdi-Naka road in Benue State, Nigeria. The attack, which occurred near Tyolaha village in Gwer West Local Government Area, has left the priest in critical condition, prompting urgent calls for prayers from the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi.
Rev. Fr. Atongo, who serves as the priest in charge of St. John’s Quasi Parish in Jimba, was reportedly travelling with two companions when the gunmen struck. According to reports, the assailants shot the priest and, believing him to be dead, abducted the two individuals accompanying him, taking them to an unknown location. Security personnel on patrol discovered the wounded priest and rushed him to a hospital, where medical staff are working tirelessly to save his life.
The Chancellor of the Makurdi Diocese, Rev. Fr. Shima Ukpanya, issued a statement on behalf of Bishop Most Rev. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, confirming the incident. “I write on behalf of the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, to inform and request your prayers 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, by suspected terrorist herdsmen,” the statement read.
The Makurdi-Naka road has become notorious for violent attacks, with frequent kidnappings and killings forcing many motorists to abandon the route. The recurring violence, often attributed to suspected herdsmen, has heightened insecurity in Benue State. Local sources report that the road has been largely deserted due to the persistent threat of such attacks.
Rev. Joseph Beba, Chairman of Diocesan Priests, also confirmed the incident, noting that Rev. Fr. Atongo was returning from Naka, the headquarters of Gwer West Local Government Area, when the attack occurred. The Catholic Diocese has appealed for calm and intensified prayers for the priest’s recovery and the safe release of the abducted individuals.
The Benue State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, and efforts to contact them for comment were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
The attack has reignited concerns about the escalating insecurity in Benue State, with local leaders and residents calling for urgent action to address the violence. The House of Representatives member for Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, Ojema Ojotu, recently described the situation as “alarming,” stating that “the lives of Benue people are worth nothing due to the frequent attacks they suffer.” Traditional leaders, including the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, have also issued ultimatums to tackle the ongoing herdsmen attacks in the region.
The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi continues to urge the faithful and the public to pray for Rev. Fr. Atongo’s swift recovery and for peace to be restored in Benue State.
