Gunmen believed to be kidnappers have shot a Catholic priest of St Kelvin’s Parish, Ogbaku, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, on Christmas Day.
The incident occurred at about 8 a.m. when the priest, who serves as the assistant parish priest of the church, was reportedly approaching the parish gate.
A source within the area said that the attackers opened fire from a distance as the cleric was about to enter the premises.
One of the bullets struck the priest’s right arm, after which he was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he is said to be responding to treatment.
“It happened this morning. He was trying to enter the gate but before he could, a bullet from nowhere hit him. Nobody saw the people that shot him; it was like a stray bullet. Thank God he did not die. He has been taken to the hospital,” the source said.
The Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, His Grace Lucius Ugorji, confirmed the shooting but stated that the identity of those responsible is still under suspicion.
