Nigeria’s Makurdi Diocese Orders “immediate” Closure of Catholic School after Attack to “avoid unimaginable disaster”

He goes on to recount the attack on the Catholic institution that happened during the night. “Gunmen had gained access to the school in the late hours of Tuesday, 7th May, shooting indiscriminately while the learners were asleep,” the member of the Clergy of Makurdi Diocese says. 

Were it not “for the professional handling of the situation by the principal and a team of civil defense officers who repelled the attack, the situation would have been catastrophic,” Fr. Iorapuu says, adding that “one of the heroic officers was shot and is receiving treatment.”

He confirms the safety of the School Principal, Fr. Emmanuel Ogwuche, as well as the students, and adds, “We also appreciate the professionalism of the Civil Defence officers who provide security at the school. These unidentified gunmen tried to raise the ante in their attacks’ strategies on the state, from villagers, farmers, worshippers to students.”

Fr. Angus Frazer Memorial High School is located along Welfare Quarters at Utuur Layout Phase 3 Makurdi, which is Nigeria’s Benue State capital. 

“This part of the town has become notorious for killings and kidnappings by suspected herdsmen,” Fr. Iorapuu says in his May 8 statement.

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The Nigerian Catholic Diocese has directed “Priests and those in pastoral units to tighten security around their premises and appeal to relevant authorities to ensure the safety of life and property of the citizens,” he adds.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.