A priest was reportedly shot at during the attack, two others were beaten up while some sustained severe injuries.
The Taraba state police command spokesman, David Misal confirmed the incident in a telephone call from our source
He said the incident was caused by the continued grazing of cattle on the school land, and when the seminary authorities attempt to stop them, they herdsmen turned violent.
Though he said there was no arrest yet, “but the police commissioner has directed men and officers of the command to beef up security within the area as investigation into the matter is ongoing”.
Also, Evaristus Bassey, director of Caritas Nigeria, an agency of the Catholic Church, confirmed this.
A priest was reportedly shot during the attack while two others were beaten up. No death had been confirmed as at press time.
It is the second time in a little over one month that a Catholic establishment will be attacked by herdsmen in the country.
Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen in April killed two priests at St. Ignatius’ Catholic Church, Ayar, Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue state.
The gunmen were said to have opened fire on the worshipers after invading the church.
Some worshipers were also killed in the attack while many sustained injuries.
The deceased priests were identified as Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha.
Pope Francis and US President, Donald Trump are among the global personalities who have condemned the recent spate of attacks on Christians in Nigeria.
Reaction from the seminary
With permission from my Bishop, Most Rev. Charles Hammawa of Jalingo Diocese, I Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Atsue (the Rector) want to announce and inform Nigerians and the international community that our diocesan Sacred Heart Minor Seminary was attacked in the early hours of this morning 28/05/2018 at about 12:30am by sophisticated armed Fulani Herdsmen (at least we heard their conversation).
They shot sporadically at the Rector’s residence, broke window glasses in the process, (littered live bullets were collected by police) windscreen of one of the vehicles belonging to one of the priests, they shot and injured one of the priests Rev. Fr. Cornelius kobah on the leg, beat up Fr. Stephen Bakari. From their conversation we were able to understand that their grievances against us is that the security men in the Seminary have been challenging their decision to graze right inside the Seminary: around the classes, football field, laundry etc.
They said even inside the church if they see grass their cows will graze. Normalcy has temporarily been restored thanks to the prompt response from the Nigerian Police, Army, Civil Defense and local vigilantee.
All our students are complete, none is missing. Two of them who were showing them the way to the Father’s house suffered injuries from the sticks of the herdsmen.
I had a meeting with the officials of the Parents Teachers Association PTA and the bishop has equally approved one week break for the seminarians to enable them manage trauma for a while and to show themselves to their parents that they were safe. For now this is the situation. Let us continue to pray for and work for peace in Nigeria.
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