Cardinal Onaiyekan escapes death in attack by herdsmen, Catholic Bishops send SOS to Buhari

Tragedy was averted late on Friday when Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, survived an attempt on his life by suspected herdsmen along Benin-Ekpoma road in Edo State. Cardinal Onaiyekan was attacked on his way from the 10 years anniversary celebration of the enthronement of Dr. Augustin Akubueze as a bishop and the 10 years anniversary celebration of the Diocese Uromi.

Recounting their ordeal, the driver to Onaiyekan, who simply identified himself as Segun blamed the attack on herdsmen. He said: “We left Benin for Uromi and at about 5:00 p.m. on the fateful day, I think very close to Ehor, I saw a big pothole and decided to slow down the vehicle. I would have passed the spot with speed but because the Cardinal was sleeping, I decided to slow down the vehicle so that he won’t wake up. Suddenly, I saw three men come out of the palm tree plantation by the roadside and started shooting at the vehicle.