UPDATED: Catholic Priest shot, killed by bandits in Benue, another abducted in Kaduna

By our reporter| The rising cases of violence in Benue state continued on Tuesday with the killing of a Catholic Priest, Reverend Father Ferdinand Fanen Ngugban, of St. Augustine Aye Twar parish in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

Fr. Ferdinand Ngugban was killed by bandits who raided the community and set many houses on fire.

The Council Chairman of Kastina-Ala, Joseph Atera, who confirmed the incident, said the bandits killed three others during the attack at the church parish.

The Benue Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene, however, confirmed the killing of the priest.

“Attack on St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Aye-Twar village, Agu centre in Kastina-Ala LGA by bandits is confirmed. Rev. Fr. Nguban Fanen lost his life during the attack, he said.

“The corpse has been deposited at General Hospital, Katsina-Ala while a joint operation of Police and other security agencies are on the trail of the hoodlums.”

-Gunmen kidnap Catholic priest in Kaduna

Meanwhile, a Reverend father of the Catholic church has been kidnapped by gunmen in Kaduna state.

The incident comes barely four days after eight members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God were abducted by bandits in the Kachia local government of the state.

Police authorities are yet to confirm the latest incident.

However, the Director of communication of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna, Reverend Father Stephen Onyema told Channels Television that the Reverend Father, Anthony Dawah was abducted alongside the wife of the catechist at Dogon Kurmi village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna state.