By Correspondent.
Tragedy struck in Kafin-Koro, Paikoro, Local Government Area of Niger state, north central Nigeria on Sunday as some men suspected to be terrorists burnt to death a Catholic priest, Reverend Father Isaac Achi while his colleague, Collins escaped with gunshot.
Sources told our Correspondent that
when the attackers found it difficult to gain entrance to the heavily secured priest’s house, they set it ablaze.
Rev.father Achi was until his gruesome murder, attached to St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church, Kafin-Koro.
The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, for the Police Command in the state, SP Wasiu Abiodun, who confirmed the horrific incident ,said another priest,Rev.Father Collins, was shot during the attack.
The PPRO said:”“On 15/01/2023 at about 0300hrs, armed bandits invaded the Parish residence of one Rev. Father Isaac Achi of St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church, along Daza road, Kafin-Koro, Paikoro LGA,” Mr Abiodun wrote in a statement.
“Unfortunately, the bandits reportedly attempted to gain entrance into the residence, but seems difficult and set the house ablaze, while the said Rev. Father was burnt to death.
“A colleague of the Rev. Father, identified as Father Collins, was equally shot in the shoulder while trying to escape from the scene.
“Police tactical teams attached to Kafin-Koro Div were immediately drafted to the scene, but the hoodlums had escaped before the arrival of the teams.
“The lifeless body of Father Isaac was recovered while Father Collins was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
“The Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, CP Ogundele Ayodeji, had dispatched a reinforcement team to the area and effort is ongoing to apprehend the assailants as an investigation into the unfortunate attack has commenced.”
Reacting to the development, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger, State, has condemned the killing of the priest.
The Chairman of the faith-based Association,Bulu Yohanna, in a statement,called on the federal government and security agencies to arrest the spate of killings not just in the state but the country at large.
He also called for an investigation into the attack on the priests, adding that the culprits must be brought to book.
“Enough of the attacks and wanton killings of innocent Nigerian citizens.
“One of the primary responsibilities of government is to protect the lives and property of the people you govern,” he stressed.
Edited by Dada Ahmed
Premium Times/The Reporters.
