A tragic incident occurred on the evening of Saturday, May 24, when a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongo, was reportedly shot by suspected armed herdsmen along the Makurdi-Naka road in Benue State, Nigeria. The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have plagued the region, often attributed to ongoing tensions between farming communities and nomadic herders.
According to a statement issued by Rev. Fr. Joseph Beba, Chairman of the Diocesan Priests of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Fr. Atongo was ambushed while returning from a pastoral mission in Naka, the administrative headquarters of Gwer West Local Government Area. He was en route to his parish after carrying out church duties when the assailants struck.
Fr. Atongo is currently the priest in charge of St. John’s Quasi Parish, located in Jimba, a rural community within the diocese. Eyewitness accounts suggest the attackers opened fire on his vehicle without provocation, leaving him severely wounded. He was immediately rushed to a medical facility in critical condition, where doctors are reportedly making concerted efforts to stabilize him.
In the wake of the incident, the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi has issued an urgent call for prayers from the faithful and the general public, urging spiritual support for the ailing priest. “We entrust Fr. Solomon to the healing hands of God and call on all Christians to join us in praying for his swift recovery,” the diocesan statement read.
Despite the gravity of the incident, the Benue State Police Command has yet to issue an official confirmation or provide further details regarding the attack. The absence of a prompt response from law enforcement has raised concerns among local residents and church authorities, who have repeatedly highlighted the growing insecurity in rural parts of the state.
Benue State, often referred to as Nigeria’s “Food Basket,” has been a hotspot for conflicts between farming communities and suspected armed herdsmen, leading to loss of lives and displacement of thousands over the past few years. Religious leaders, including Catholic priests, have not been spared in the ongoing crisis, prompting calls for greater protection of clergy and civilians alike.
As the Diocese and local communities await updates on Fr. Atongo’s condition, many are also demanding swift action from security agencies to investigate the attack, apprehend the perpetrators, and prevent future occurrences.