Catholic Priest Shot Dead in Benue, Another Kidnapped in Kaduna

Catholic Priest Shot Dead in Benue, Another Kidnapped in Kaduna

- Another day, another news of kidnappings and killings in Nigeria

- A Catholic priest has been killed by armed bandits who stormed a local government in Benue state

- In Kaduna state, another Catholic priest was kidnapped alongside two of his church members

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A Catholic priest, Reverend Father Ferdinand Fanen Ngugban, has been shot dead in Katsina-Ala local government area of Benue state.

Daily Trust reports that Fr. Ngugban of St. Augustine Aye Twar parish in Katsina-Ala was killed by bandits who raided the community and set many houses on fire.

Benue state police command spokesman, DSP Catherine Anene, confirmed the killing of the priest in a terse statement.

Catholic Priest Shot Dead in Benue, Another Kidnapped in Kaduna
Experts say the mounting insecurity in the country is an indictment on the IGP Adamu-led police force. Photo credit: @PoliceNG
Source: Twitter

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In a related development, another catholic priest has been kidnapped by armed bandits in Kaduna state.

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The spokesman of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna, Reverend Father Stephen Onyema told Channels Television that the Reverend Father, Anthony Dawah was abducted alongside two of his parishioners.

Nigerians on social media have been reacting to the latest attacks targeted at priests.

Emmanuel Keita Isah asks on Twitter:

“When will enough be enough for these confounded criminals and the police?”

Emmanuel Chidi wrote:

“Kaduna on a rampage, students still in captive, RCCG members not yet released, now catholic priest...And there's a governor there...not to talk about the London dude. God save us!”

Olaifa John Adekunle wrote:

“Police didn't prevent this to happen, but they can investigate the death of cows.”

John Omovigho wrote:

“God if it's your will for this country to break, let it break this year. This is too much, someone called the president showing a nonchalant attitude.”

Wale wrote:

“If you insist on not negotiating with bandits or paying ransoms, it’s only right you secure the state and make it nearly impossible for the crime to take place in the first place.”

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Legit.ng recently reported that bandits abducted a Catholic priest identified as Harrison Prhinyovaw in Delta state.

The priest was abducted at about 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 15, at a bad spot in Abraka, Ethiope East local government area of the state.

Recall that Rev. Fr. John Gbakaan, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Minna, Nigeria was killed by gunmen suspected to be bandits after he was abducted in the north-central state in January 2021.

Another Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, made the announcement on Saturday, January 16 via Twitter.

The brutal killing of the priest sparked an outpouring of emotions by Catholic faithful in the state and beyond.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Jerrywright Ukwu avatar

Jerrywright Ukwu Jerrywright Ukwu is an Abuja-based senior political/defence correspondent. He is a graduate of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos and the International Institute of Journalism in Abuja. He is also a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. He spends his leisure-time reading history books. He can be reached via email at jerrywright39@yahoo.com.