Tension in Taraba over alleged soldiers’ invasion of Catholic priest’s house

There was tension in Wukari Local Government Council of Taraba State following an alleged assault on a Catholic priest by members of the Nigerian Army.

The incident reportedly occurred on Monday at the residence of Rev. Richard Unom in Ikyaior village, Wukari Local Government Council.

Confirming the incident, Rev. Unom, who is the current Catholic priest of Wukari Diocese, expressed deep concerns over the invasion of his home by heavily armed soldiers.

He claimed that the soldiers tortured him and his cook, Terhemen Cornelius, without any provocation or justification.

Recounting the ordeal to journalists, he said the soldiers threatened to kill him despite identifying himself as a priest.

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“I had just reported to my new station at the All Saints Pastoral Centre on August 2, 2024. On August 5, around 9 am, six military vehicles and motorcycles entered the church premises. I approached them, introduced myself as the priest in charge, and inquired about their presence, ” he said.

The soldiers, according to him, claimed to be on a mission to search for some criminals in the area.

He said the cries of his cook brought him out after he went inside to prepare for a trip to Wukari Town.

Upon rushing outside, he said he found his cook being brutalised by the soldiers.

“Despite my pleas for mercy, they knocked me to the ground and targeted my face. I turned away to protect myself. Fortunately, one soldier intervened and prevented further injury,” he recounted.

Affirming that his cook sustained severe injuries, including the loss of an eye, he called on the relevant authorities to wade in by bringing the soldiers to justice.

Commenting on the incident, the spokesperson for the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army in Jalingo, Captain Oni Olubodunde, stated that the soldiers involved were not from the unit.

“I am aware of the incident, but those responsible are not personnel from our brigade. I doubt if they are even genuine army personnel,” he said.

The alleged attacks, at the time of filing this report, has sparked widespread concern among residents of Wukari council, who are demanding justice and assurances of safety from such military excesses.