Three Indian Catholic priests were subjected to a brutal attack by a mob at a fuel station in Nkwanta, Oti Region, after being falsely accused of stealing road equipment.

The incident occurred last Wednesday and left one of the priests with serious injuries.

The victims, Father Robinson Melkis, Father Frank Henry Jacob, and Father Martin George, are Capuchin Friars who have been engaged in missionary work in Ghana since 2005.

Father Frank Henry Jacob sustained significant injuries, including the loss of hearing in one ear, and has been referred to Yendi Hospital for further medical care.

The attack, parts of which were captured on video and widely shared on social media, also targeted two officials from the Nkwanta-South Municipal Assembly.

Municipal Engineer and Town and Country Planning Officer Samuel Worlanyo Asugbey, who were accompanying the priests, were also assaulted.

Monsignor Joseph Kofi Nsiah, Vicar-General of the Catholic Diocese of Jasikan, explained that the priests had hired a bulldozer from the Nkwanta-South Municipal Assembly to prepare land for a Formation House project for seminarians in Chaiso.

The priests paid GHS9,700 and were accompanied by municipal officials to fuel the equipment before heading to the site.

While refuelling, a mob accused the group of attempting to steal the bulldozer.

“For 30 minutes, they were beaten mercilessly until officers from the Ghana Immigration Service intervened,” the Vicar-General of the Catholic Diocese of Jasikan said.

Despite their rescue, the mob lodged a complaint with the police, alleging theft.

The priests were taken into custody, and the bulldozer was impounded. Following thr Vicar-General of the Catholic Diocese of Jasikan’s intervention, the priests were granted bail while investigations continue.

Meanwhile the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Nkwanta-South Constituency has condemned the attack and issued a formal apology to the priests and the Jasikan Diocese of the Catholic Church.

“We are deeply appalled and saddened by the attack on the Catholic priests by some youth last Wednesday,” the NDC in the Nkwanta-South Constituency said in a statement issued and signed by Prince Succeed Fiagadzi, Constituency Secretary.

“Your selfless dedication to serving humanity and preaching the message of love and compassion deserves utmost respect and gratitude,” the statement emphasised..

It described the incident as unacceptable and extended heartfelt apologies for the harm and trauma caused.

The Catholic Church and other organisations have called for swift justice and urged the authorities to take measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

Police have since begun investigations into the incident.