Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have reportedly shot a Catholic priest along the troubled Makudi-Naka road in Benue State.
The Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongo, was attacked on Saturday evening.
A statement made available to newsmen by the Chairman of Diocesan Priests, Rev. Joseph Beba, disclosed that Rev. Atongo was shot on the Makurdi-Naka road while returning from Naka, the headquarters of Gwer West Local Government Area.
The victim serves as the priest in charge of St. John’s Quasi Parish in Jimba.
Atongo is reported to be in critical condition and was promptly taken to the hospital for medical attention.
The Makurdi-Naka road has, unfortunately, become a hotspot for herdsmen violence over the past two years.
Due to the actions of criminals who kidnap and murder individuals on this road, it has been largely abandoned.
It was further gathered that Atongo was accompanied by two individuals when the assailants attacked.
After shooting the priest, believing him to be dead, the herdsmen allegedly abducted the other two individuals and took them to an unknown location.
As of the time of this report, there is no information regarding their current whereabouts.
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