Join our WhatsApp channel HERE for the latest Benue news and updates!
A video currently circulating on social media has sparked widespread controversy and public debate after it allegedly showed a Catholic priest assaulting an individual inside a church in Benue State, Nigeria.
The footage, shared widely on Facebook and other platforms, has been linked by online users to Rev. Fr. Aayongu, a Catholic priest serving in the state. In the video, a clergyman believed to be the priest is seen engaging in a physical altercation with another person during what appears to be a church gathering. The incident has left many Nigerians questioning whether the priest’s actions were justified or unacceptable.
Reactions online have been sharply divided. While some insist that violence has no place in a house of worship and that clergy are held to higher moral standards, others argue that the full context of the incident is unclear and that the priest may have been provoked.
Catholic doctrine emphasizes patience, humility, and nonviolence, particularly for ordained ministers. Any act of physical assault within a church setting raises serious moral and ethical concerns and could attract disciplinary action from church authorities, in addition to possible legal consequences.
Calls have grown for a proper investigation into the incident, with many urging the Catholic Diocese in Benue State to issue an official statement and clarify the circumstances surrounding the video. As of the time of writing, neither church authorities nor law enforcement agencies have released an official response.
The incident has also reignited wider discussions about accountability among religious leaders, anger management, and the sanctity of places of worship. Many Nigerians continue to call for calm, due process, and responsible commentary as the situation unfolds.
