Three Indian Catholic priests—Father Robinson Melkis, Father Frank Henry Jacob, and Father Martin George—were brutally attacked by a mob at a fuel station in Nkwanta, Oti Region, last Wednesday. The priests, all Capuchin Friars, have been involved in missionary work in Ghana since 2005.
Father Frank Henry Jacob sustained serious injuries, including hearing loss in one ear, and has been referred to Yendi Hospital for further treatment. The assault, parts of which were recorded on video and circulated on social media, also targeted two officials from the Nkwanta-South Municipal Assembly accompanying the priests: Municipal Engineer Samuel Worlanyo Asugbey and the Municipal Town and Country Planning Officer.
Events Leading to the Attack
According to Monsignor Joseph Kofi Nsiah, Vicar-General of the Catholic Diocese of Jasikan, the priests were at a fuel station to refuel a bulldozer they had hired from the Nkwanta-South Municipal Assembly for a construction project in Chaiso. They had paid GH¢9,700 for the equipment and were accompanied by the assembly officials to move it to the project site.
While fueling the equipment, the mob accused the group of attempting to steal the bulldozer. For 30 minutes, the priests and officials endured a relentless beating until officers of the Ghana Immigration Service intervened. The mob subsequently filed a report with the police, alleging theft of the equipment.
Legal and Community Response
The priests were initially remanded into police custody, and the equipment was impounded. Following the intervention of Monsignor Nsiah, they were granted bail pending further investigation.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) branch of the Nkwanta-South Constituency issued an apology for the attack. In a statement signed by Constituency Secretary Prince Succeed Fiagadzi, the NDC condemned the mob’s actions as unacceptable and expressed regret for the trauma caused. The statement praised the priests for their selfless service to humanity and their commitment to spreading love and compassion.
Investigation Underway
The Ghana Police Service has launched an investigation into the assault. The Catholic Diocese of Jasikan, alongside local authorities, has called for justice to be served, emphasizing the need for respect and protection for individuals dedicated to humanitarian and spiritual work.
