Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have shot a Catholic priest on Christmas Day in Imo State South Eastern Nigeria.
The incident occurred on Wednesday morning at St. Kelvin’s Catholic Parish, Ogbaku, in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state.
Sources told reporters that the priest, who serves as the assistant parish priest of the church, was shot at about 8:00 a.m. while attempting to enter the church premises.
According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers opened fire from a distance before fleeing the scene.
One of the bullets reportedly struck the priest on the right arm. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment and is said to be responding well.
“It happened suddenly. He was trying to enter the gate when a bullet hit him from nowhere. Nobody saw the attackers.
Thank God he survived and is responding to treatment,” a source said.
Confirming the incident, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, His Grace Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, said the attack took place but noted that the identity and motive of the assailants are still under investigation.
Security agencies are yet to issue an official statement on the attack as residents of the area express concern over rising insecurity, especially during this festive periods.
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