Unknown gunmen suspected to be bandits have killed a Catholic Reverend Father, Fanem Nguban, and three other parishioners in the Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
It was gathered that the incident occurred after morning mass in the early hours of Tuesday at St. Paul’s Catholic Church Kastina-Ala.
According to locals, the gunmen stormed the village called Agu Centre in Mbatyula/Mberev council in the state around 7:00am Tuesday when the church was closing for morning mass.
One of the locals, who did not want to be mentioned, said, “As soon as the morning mass was over and parishioners were returning home, some men entered the church and asked of the senior priest.
“They directed them to go inside but within a split-second, we heard gunshots and everyone scampered for safety by the time we came back, the Reverend father and others were found dead.”
The gunmen were reported to have entered the community and set some houses ablaze.
Confirming the attack on the Katsina-Alla community, the council Chairman, Alfred Atera, said the unknown gunmen invaded the community between 7:00 am and 8:00 am on Tuesday and killed a Reverend father and three people as well as burnt down the village.
He identified the other people killed to include MfaveTumachihi, Mbangohor Tsebo and Orlukaa Ulu.
Atera said, “On 30th March 2021, at about 7am to 8am, unknown gunmen came and burnt a village called Agu Centre in mbatyula /mberev council ward in Katsina-Alla and killed Rev Fr Moses Ngugban and three others by name: Mfave Tumachihi, Mbangohor Tsebo and Orlukaa Ulu.”
Also confirming the attack in a text message to our correspondent, the State Police Command said that there was an attack on St. Paul’s Catholic Church Kastina-Ala LGA by bandits.
The Command spokesperson, Catherine Anene, said, “Attack on St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Sai, Kastina-Ala LGA by bandits is confirmed.
” 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.”
