The Catholic priest in charge of St. John Quasi Parish Jimba, Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongu has been reportedly shot by suspected armed herdsmen along the deadly Makurdi – Naka road.

The priest was shot Saturday evening while on his way from Makurdi back to his duty post in Naka when he drove into an ambush by the armed herdsmen.

It was also gathered that two other occupants of the vehicle were abducted by the armed men and whisked away into the forest after they mistook the clergy for dead.

“Luckily security personnel got to the scene of the attack and rescued the Priest who had already lost so much blood, and took him to hospital where efforts are being made by medical personnel to stabilise him,” he said.

While confirming the incident in a statement, the Chancellor, Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Revd. Fr. Shima Ukpanya, called for prayers for his quickly recovery.

Part of the statement read: “I write on behalf the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Most Revd. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, to inform and request for your prayers for the quick recovery of one of our Priests, Revd. Fr. Solomon Atongo who was attacked and shot this evening around Tyolaha, Makurdi-Naka Road, Gwer West Local Government Area, LGA, by suspected terrorist herdsmen.

“Let us unite in prayer for God’s healing upon him as the medics try to stabilize him. May our Lady Mother of Perpetual Help intercede for us.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent, CSP, Catherine Anene could not be reached.

The Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, May 22, 2025, brought 58-year-old Ifeoma Joe and her 34-year-old son, Chima Mike Nmerem, before Justice P.I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for allegedly defrauding a US based Nigerian of the sun of N74.4 million.

The pair is facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, and advance fee fraud—allegations linked to a bogus spiritual scheme said to be connected to a murder case in the United States.

According to court filings, between September and December 2024, Joe allegedly posed as an associate of Evangelist Uma Ukpai, a renowned Christian preacher, and convinced the victim to part with millions of naira for “spiritual cleansing” and to allegedly bribe detectives involved in her son’s homicide case abroad.

“That you, Ifeoma Joe, between September 10 and December 17, 2024, in Oyigbo, Rivers State, obtained the sum of ₦64,486,180 from Mrs. Felicia Ekwutasi Ikeh under the pretext that the funds were needed for spiritual cleansing and to influence detectives in a U.S. murder case—claims you knew to be false,” one of the charges read.

Investigators allege that Joe, after being introduced by the victim’s sister, created the illusion of speaking directly with Evangelist Uma Ukpai using a fake voice over a spoofed phone number. The victim claimed she regularly received “prayers” and prophetic instructions from this impersonated cleric.

As part of the scheme, Joe demanded an initial ₦900,000 for an altar sacrifice, followed by further requests totaling tens of millions of naira. She also allegedly instructed payments for donations to orphanages, spiritual offerings, bribes for detectives, and even gifts to an employer who would supposedly rehire the victim’s son once spiritual obstacles were cleared.

Funds totaling $38,450 in naira equivalent were reportedly paid into a bank account operated by Nmerem, which was allegedly used to funnel the proceeds.

Both defendants pleaded “guilty” when the charges were read in court. Prosecution counsel K.U. Udus informed the court of a ready witness and sought an immediate review of the case, but Justice Ajoku adjourned the matter to May 28, 2025, due to time constraints.

The court also ordered that the accused be remanded in EFCC custody pending further proceedings.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said the reforms initiated and been executed by President BolaTinubu’s administration were responsible for the successes it is recording in its operations, especially since 2023.

Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of Customs, stated this while disclosing the successes recorded by the agency in Quarter 2 of 2025, saying the sum of N2.3trillion was generated during the period and  attributed the remarkable growth to transformative reforms under the  Renewed Hope Agenda.

Adeniyi highlighted that the revenue surge emanated from improved technological deployment, enhanced port operations, tightened enforcement on revenue leakages, and a renewed culture of accountability across Customs commands.

“We collected N1.3 trillion in Q1 2025 alone. This is not due to higher import volumes. Imports have dropped due to foreign exchange constraints. What has changed is efficiency, transparency and enforcement,” the Comptroller-General said.

He disclosed that the Service is preparing to launch the E-Customs Modernisation Project, saying the $3.2 billion initiative will digitise cargo processing, surveillance and payment systems across Nigeria’s ports and borders.

“We’re laying the foundation to move from a manual, paper-based system to a fully digital service. The E-Customs Project is central to our future. Once fully deployed, we project it will add $250 billion in cumulative revenue over 20 years,” he said.

Adeniyi added that the newly launched Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme is now onboarding pre-vetted importers, allowing compliant businesses faster processing and reducing port congestion.

“It’s about trust and efficiency. If you’re compliant, you get green-lane treatment. This is how modern customs systems work globally,” he said

The Customs CG confirmed that the Service has intensified its anti-smuggling operations and closed long-standing revenue leakages.

He said over N64 billion was recovered from previously under-assessed or undervalued imports in the last nine months, and major smuggling rings at the Seme, Idiroko, Katsina, and Sokoto borders have been dismantled.

He said the new joint border patrol task forces established in coordination with the Nigerian Army, DSS, and Police have also yielded positive results.

“We’re no longer just chasing smugglers in the bush. We’re using data, surveillance drones and port intelligence to act in real-time. Once systemic leakages are now being plugged,” ” Adeniyi said.