By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
26- DEC- 2025

Tension gripped parts of Imo State on Christmas Day following a reported attack on a Catholic priest serving at St. Kelvin’s Parish, Ogbaku, in Mbaitoli Local Government Area. The cleric, identified as the assistant parish priest of the church, was shot by unidentified assailants believed to be kidnappers during the early hours of the morning.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that the incident occurred at about 8:00 a.m. as the priest attempted to gain access into the church premises. According to a source familiar with the development, the attackers were not physically sighted at the scene, as shots were allegedly fired from a distance while the priest was close to opening the church gate.

One of the bullets reportedly struck the priest on the right arm, causing injury. He was immediately assisted and rushed to a nearby medical facility, where he is currently receiving treatment and responding positively, according to sources.

The sudden nature of the attack has raised concerns among parishioners and residents of the area, especially as the assailants reportedly escaped unnoticed. The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, with early accounts suggesting the possibility of an ambush or a stray shot.

Confirming the incident, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, His Grace, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, stated that the priest was indeed attacked but noted that the identity and motive of the gunmen are yet to be established. He added that security agencies have been duly informed and investigations are ongoing to unravel the details behind the incident.

US President Donald Trump has vowed to take action against terrorists in Nigeria, ordering more precision strikes after a deadly attack on a mosque in Maiduguri. Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that the US launched a “powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS terrorists in northwest Nigeria, specifically in Sokoto State, on Christmas Day.

The strike was carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities, with US Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirming the operation killed multiple ISIS terrorists. Trump warned that there will be “more to come” if the militants continue killing Christians.

Trump’s action follows his warning in November to cut off US aid to Nigeria and intervene militarily if the government doesn’t stop violence against Christians. Nigeria’s government has denied claims of failing to protect Christians, saying armed groups target both Muslims and Christians.

The US has designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act, citing alleged violations of religious freedom.

Pandemonium broke Jabo, a town in Tambuwal Local Government Area on Thursday night following the U.S. military strikes.

President Donald Trump had announced a major operation in Nigeria, signaling the killing of terrorists causing mayhem in the country.

One of the missiles reportedly landed in Jabo and bursted into flame, a development that caused panic across the area.

Ekwutos learnt that several residents abandoned their homes and took cover in nearby villages over fear of being killed.

Although details of the airstrikes are still sketchy, it was learnt that no innocent citizen was killed.

Meanwhile, the development has been generating mixed reactions from Nigerians across all social media platforms.

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