Gunmen kill Catholic priest, three parishioners in Benue

Gunmen on Tuesday killed a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Fanem Nguban and three parishioners in Agu Centre, Mbatyula/Mberev council ward in Katsina-Ala local government area of Benue State.

The incident, according to natives, happened around 7:00 am when the church was rounding off its morning mass.

Several houses were said to have been set ablaze during the attack.

One of the natives who spoke to our correspondent said the gunmen stormed the village around 7:00 am and demanded to see the parish priest.

“We directed them to go inside but within split seconds we heard gunshots and everyone scampered for safety. By the time we came back, the Rev. Fr. and others were found dead,” one of the residents said.

The gunmen were also reported to have set some houses ablaze in the community.

Katsina-Ala local government Chairman, Alfred Atera identified those killed alongside the priest as Mfave Tumachihi, Mbangohor Tsebo and Orlukaa Ulu.

According to Atera, “on 30th March 2021 at about 7-8 am unknown gunmen came and burnt a village called Agu Centre in Mbatyula/Mberev Council Ward in Katsina-Ala and killed Rev. Fr. Moses Ngugban and three others by name: Mfave Tumachihi, Mbangohor Tsebo and Orlukaa Ulu.”

The State Police Command confirmed the attack on St. Paul’s Catholic Church Kastina-Ala LGA.

The command spokesperson, DSP Catherine Anene, in a text message sent to our correspondent, said “Rv. Fr. Nguban Fanen and three others lost their lives during the attack. Corpses have been deposited at General Hospital Katsina-Ala while a joint operation of police and other security agencies are on the trail of the hoodlums.”

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