By Amos Aar, Makurdi, with Agency reports
THE Catholic Priest in Charge of St Augustine’s Parish Demekpe, Makurdi, Benue State, Reverend Father Solomon Mfa Ukeyima, was robbed by armed men in the Church premises in the early hours of Monday, October 5, 2020.
National Record gathered that items such as phones, laptop, ATM cards, clothes, shoes and undisclosed amount of money belonging to Rev, Fr. Ukeyima were allegedly carted away by the robbers who reportedly scaled the perimeter fence into the residence of the Parish Priest.
The robbers, who forced their way through the window into the Reverend Father’s sitting room, were reportedly not masked as they shoot their way into the clergy’s residence.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted Rev. Fr. Ukeyima as stating that one of the armed robbers kept begging for forgiveness as he picked items in the house.
“The robbers were calm throughout the operation. They kept begging for forgiveness. They did that throughout the period of the robbery. I love the confidence and the calmness in them. One of them, for anything he picked, he would say forgive us Father,” Rev. Fr. Ukeyima told NAN in a telephone interview on Monday.
He said that the robbers invaded his residence around 2am on Monday and carted away several valuables. “The robbers demanded for N5 million or dollars from me, but I told them that I don’t have that kind of money. I told them what I had and gave that to them,” he said.
He said that the robbers appeared relaxed throughout the operation that lasted less than one hour, and spoke good English.
According to him, they made away with proceeds of thanksgiving by four families, offertory, phones, selected foot wears, sound system and some drinks, amongst others.
Fr. Ukeyima asked for prayers for the robbers to change from their evil ways, saying that he had since forgiven them. “I have forgiven them and I ask others to also pray for them. They are young people. There is one of them that was speaking impeccable English. Let them make a complete u-turn and put to good use the talent that they have,” said Rev. Fr. Ukeyima.
The Police Command in Benue confirmed the incident and vowed to apprehend the criminals.
“The incident has been reported to us and we have begun investigation,” Catherine Anene, the command’s Public Relations Officer.
