Christmas Horror: Catholic priest shot by gunmen

Gunmen on Christmas Day shot an assistant parish priest of Saint Kelvin Catholic Church, Ogbaku, in the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.

The priest, whose identity has not yet been officially confirmed, was reportedly shot at around 8:00 a.m. while approaching the church gate for morning Mass.

According to the Punch, the priest was hit in the right hand, adding that the assailant was not seen at the scene. The gunmen appeared to have fired from a concealed and distant location, making it difficult for witnesses to identify them.

“The shooting happened on Christmas Day when everyone was in a joyous mood. The priest was trying to enter the gate for morning Mass when we heard a sound, and the next thing, he was in pain from the gunshot,” the source said. “Probably it was a stray bullet, but nobody saw who fired it. He is receiving treatment at a hospital, and prayers are ongoing for his recovery.”

DSP Henry Okoye, Police Public Relations Officer of Imo State, confirmed awareness of the incident, noting that the church had not officially reported the matter to the police. He said the Divisional Police Officer for Owerri West had visited the church to verify the claims and requested to see the priest to aid investigations.

The Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, also confirmed the shooting, saying the identity of the attackers remained unknown.