A Catholic priest was injured by gunfire on Christmas Day after he was shot near his church in Ogbaku, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, sparking concern among residents and church members.
The incident occurred at about 8:00 a.m. as the assistant parish priest of St. Kelvin Catholic Church was heading towards the church premises to celebrate the Christmas morning Mass. The priest, whose name had not been officially released as of press time, was struck in the right hand.
Circumstances Remain Unclear
Eyewitness accounts suggest the shooting may have been carried out from a hidden or distant location, as no gunman was seen at the scene. A local source said the sound of a gunshot was suddenly heard, moments before the priest cried out in pain.
The source explained that the attackers were suspected to be gunmen fleeing from another, undisclosed incident in the area, raising the possibility that the priest may have been hit by a stray bullet.
The injured priest was immediately taken to a hospital for treatment. Church members confirmed that he is currently receiving medical attention, while prayers are ongoing for his recovery.
Police, Church Authorities React
Confirming awareness of the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Imo State Command, DSP Henry Okoye, said the matter had not yet been formally reported to the police by the church.
He noted, however, that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Owerri West had visited the church to verify the incident and requested access to the injured priest to support investigations.
In a separate confirmation, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, acknowledged that the priest was shot but said the identity of those responsible remains unknown.
Investigation Ongoing
Security agencies say investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the shooting, including whether the priest was deliberately targeted or accidentally caught in nearby violence.
The incident has further heightened concerns over security in parts of Imo State, particularly during public and religious events, as residents continue to call for stronger protection of civilians and places of worship.
Source: Africa Publicity
