A yet-to-be-identified gunman on Christmas Day shot a Catholic priest at St. Kelvin Catholic Church, Ogbaku, in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
Spokesperson for the Imo State Command, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident, although he stated that the church had yet to formally report it.
The priest, whose identity was yet to be confirmed, is the assistant parish priest at the church.
According to an anonymous source, the gunman shot the priest on the right hand from a hidden and far distance, as nobody saw him.
He said that the priest was currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital, where he is recuperating, while prayers were ongoing for his survival.
"Yes, the shooting happened on Christmas Day when everyone was in a joyous mood.
"The priest was answering greetings from people and walking towards the gate entrance for the morning mass, but we just heard a gunshot sound and the next thing, he was clutching his right shoulder and in pain that he had been shot.
"We don’t know if it was targeted or a stray bullet from somewhere close by, but the twist was that nobody saw who fired the shot.
"Meanwhile, the priest is receiving treatment for gunshot wounds in the hospital, and parishioners are praying for his survival", he said.
Okoye confirmed that the command was aware but stated that the matter had yet to be formally reported to the Police.
He said, "Yes, I’m aware of the incident, though the church is yet to officially report the shooting. However, the Divisional Police Officer for Owerri West has visited the church to verify the claims. He has also requested to see the priest to aid the investigation", Okoye said.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Archdiocesan bishop of Owerri, Most Rev Lucius Ugorji, has also confirmed the incident but added that the identity of the gunman was still under suspicion.
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