Gunmen kill Catholic priest, three parishioners in Benue

[Edoman]

Gunmen kill Catholic priest, three parishioners in Benue







Gunmen have killed a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Moses Fanem Ngugban and three parishioners in Agu Centre, Mbatyula/Mberev council ward in Katsina-Ala local government area of Benue State.
 
It was gathered that the incident happened around 7:00 am on Tuesday, March 30, when the church was rounding off its morning mass.
 
Several houses were said to have been set ablaze during the attack said to have been carried out by the gunmen.
 

 
One of the residents who spoke to Nigerian Tribune 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" he said.
 
Katsina-Ala local government Chairman, Alfred Atera, who confirmed the incident in a statement, identified those killed alongside the priest as Mfave Tumachihi, Mbangohor Tsebo and Orlukaa Ulu.
 
"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.” he said. 
 
Spokesperson of the State Police Command, DSP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident, saying that security operatives are on the trail of the gunmen.
 
"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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[Edoman]

Killers of Catholic priest will be apprehended - Governor Ortom







Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has condemned the killing of Reverend Father Ferdinand Ngugban of St. Paul's Catholic Church, Aye-Twar village in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area by gunmen.
 
LIB reported that Fr. Ngugban and three parishioners were killed in the early hours of Tuesday, March 30. read here
 
The Governor described the attack as mindless and wonders why a harmless priest would become the target of armed men.
 
He reassured the people of Katsina-Ala and Sankera in general that the State Government will not relent until those responsible for the killing and other attacks in that part of the state are brought to justice.
 
The Governor reaffirmed the resolve of his administration not to handover the state to criminals and urges Benue people to continue to support security operatives with timely and useful information.
 
Ortom also sympathized with the bereaved family and prayed that God grants the soul of Reverend Father Ngugban eternal rest.