Tobias Sylvester
A group of armed robbers begged for forgiveness after invading the residence of Rev Fr Solomon Ukeyima, the Catholic Priest of St. Augustine Parish, Demekpe, in Makurdi, Benue State.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeira (NAN) in a telephone interview on Monday, Fr Ukeyima said the armed robbers that invaded the Parish House kept begging for forgiveness after picking each item in the house.
Fr. Ukeyima said that the robbers shot in the air as they scaled the fence into the residence, adding that the robbers were calm throughout the operation which lasted less than an hour, adding and that one of them spoke impeccable English.
“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,” he added.
The Catholic priest said that the robbers invaded the Parish House around 2 a.m. 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.
Fr Ukeyima said that the robbers appeared relaxed throughtout the operation that lasted less than one hour, and spoke good English.
He said that the robbers broke into his bedroom having scaled the perimetre fence to the Parish House and the window to the Priest’s parlour.
According to him, they made away with proceeds of thanksgiving by four families, offertory, phones, selected footwears, sound system and some drinks, amongst others.
The Catholic priest 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,” the priest said
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,” DSP Catherine Anene, the command’s Public Relations Officer, told NAN. (NAN)
KanyiDaily had also reported how some unknown gunmen abducted Rev. Father Nicholas Oboh, a Catholic priest serving at the Uromi Diocese in Benin city, Edo State.
