Catholic priest shot by suspected armed herders in Benue

A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongo, was shot on Saturday by gunmen suspected to be armed herders along the Makurdi/Naka Road in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.

Sources reveal that Fr. Atongo, who serves at Jimba Parish, was ambushed near Tyolaha, a known hotspot for violent attacks. The priest was driving when he was shot by the attackers.

Fortunately, he was discovered by a security operative on patrol who quickly rushed him to an undisclosed hospital for treatment. His current condition remains unknown, but the incident has raised fresh concerns over the persistent insecurity in the area.

In his reaction, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Most Rev Wilfred Anagbe, called for urgent prayers saying the priest was being attended to at the hospital.

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.”

Efforts to get the reaction of the state command spokesperson, Catherine Anene, were not successful as of the time of filing this report as calls made to her phone did not connect.