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

By Titilope Adako

An assistant parish priest of Saint Kelvin Catholic Church, Ogbaku, in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, was shot on Christmas Day by gunmen believed to be fleeing an undisclosed incident.

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

A source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said 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 location, making it difficult for anyone nearby 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, having been shot,” the source said.

“Probably it was a stray bullet, but nobody saw who fired the shot. The priest is now receiving treatment in the hospital, and prayers are ongoing for his recovery.”

Confirming the incident, Imo State Police Public Relations Officer DSP Henry Okoye said the matter had not yet been formally reported.

“Yes, I’m aware of the incident, though the church is yet to officially report it. The Divisional Police Officer for Owerri West has visited the church to verify the claims and has requested to see the priest to aid the investigation,” he said.

The Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, also confirmed the shooting but said the perpetrators remain unidentified. Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

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