Tragedy struck in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State as Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongu, the Parish Priest of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Jimba, was shot by suspected armed assailants while traveling along the notorious Makurdi–Naka road.
Fr. Atongu, an indigenous priest of Tyoshin, was reportedly attacked while returning to his parish. According to local sources, he was traveling with two other occupants whose identities have not yet been confirmed.
The assailants, believed to be armed Fulani bandits, allegedly shot the priest and, assuming he was dead, proceeded to abduct the remaining passengers. As of the time of this report, their whereabouts remain unknown, and efforts to trace them are ongoing.
Fr. Atongu is reportedly receiving medical attention, though details about his condition have not been officially confirmed.
The attack has sparked renewed concerns about rising insecurity along the Makurdi–Naka route, which has seen repeated incidents of violence and abductions in recent months.
