Benue in Turmoil: Catholic Priest Shot, Herdsmen Issued Ultimatum Amid Mounting Insecurity

Tension escalated over the weekend in Benue State as suspected herdsmen launched another violent attack, this time targeting a Catholic priest along the notorious Makurdi-Naka road. Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongo, serving at St. John’s Quasi Parish in Jimba, was reportedly shot while returning from Naka, the administrative center of Gwer West Local Government Area.

The priest, accompanied by two individuals, encountered the armed assailants on Saturday evening. According to a statement by Rev. Joseph Beba, Chairman of the Diocesan Priests in the area, Fr. Atongo was severely wounded and remains in critical condition at a hospital where he is receiving urgent medical attention.

The assailants, believing the priest to be dead after the shooting, abducted the two other individuals accompanying him. As of the latest reports, their whereabouts remain unknown.

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Makurdi-Naka Road: A Symbol of Fear and Violence in Benue

The Makurdi-Naka road has transformed from a once vital route into a symbol of terror, particularly over the last two years. Increasingly dominated by violent criminal elements suspected to be herdsmen, the road is now largely deserted by travelers who fear abduction or death.

The latest attack on Rev. Fr. Atongo is only one of many incidents tied to the escalating insecurity in the region. Residents and clergy alike have lamented the persistent lawlessness that seems to go unchecked.

In response to this growing menace, the Tiv Area Traditional Council (TATC) has taken a hard stance. During an emergency meeting held at the palace of the Tor Tiv in Gboko and presided over by His Royal Majesty, James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, the council issued a 10-day ultimatum to herdsmen to vacate all Tiv communities. The monarchs called for swift and peaceful compliance, urging the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, to create a secure environment that would facilitate the herders’ orderly departure.

This bold move highlights the frustration and desperation of traditional leaders faced with a crisis that threatens not only their people’s lives but also their cultural stability.

Reports indicate that herdsmen have been responsible for countless attacks across various Benue communities, including Ukum, Agatu, and parts of the Apa region. These violent episodes have left scores dead and many displaced, plunging families into mourning and hardship.

Ojema Ojotu, the House of Representatives member for Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, voiced his concerns in a scathing remark that reflects the sentiments of many in the region. He condemned the apparent government inaction and lamented the diminishing value of human life in Benue.

“Benue State is badly heated and there is a high level of insecurity. The lives of human beings have no value. People are dying, and nothing significant is being done to address the situation. The case is not different in my own constituency of Apa and Agatu,” Ojotu stated.

His remarks underscore the broader insecurity crisis that continues to plague the state despite repeated calls for intervention.

Community members, civil society organizations, and religious leaders are now demanding tangible and immediate action from the federal and state governments. Many fear that if the trend of violence is not curbed soon, Benue may slip further into a cycle of unending bloodshed and displacement.

In the meantime, the attack on Rev. Fr. Atongo stands as a tragic reminder of the perils faced daily by Benue’s residents. For the Catholic Church and wider Christian community, the shooting of one of their own in such circumstances deepens the sorrow and raises serious concerns about the safety of clergy members working in volatile zones.

As Fr. Atongo battles for his life and the fate of the abducted individuals remains uncertain, Benue residents continue to live in fear, waiting for decisive action that may restore peace to their troubled land.