In a heart-wrenching development that has gotten tongues wagging over the security of the nation, terrorists in an attack on Kafin Koro Community in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria in the early hours of Sunday 15, 2023 burnt a Reverend Father, Isaac Achi of Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church, to death.
According to reports, the terrorists invaded the community at about 1 am and began shooting sporadically while heading to the uphill residence of the Rev. Father.
A resident of the community who identified himself as Paul, said the bandits divided themselves into two, while some went to the Catholic priest’s official residence, the others stayed in the town shooting to wade away any form of interference.
Paul stated that when the bandits couldn’t assess the late Achi’s residence after a long while, they set the building ablaze and waited until it burnt to ashes with him in it.
Confirming the incident, Wasiu Abiodun, police spokesperson in the state, said another priest was shot during the attack.
In a statement, Abiodun 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”.
“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, Sani Bello Abubakar, the governor of Niger State, described the attack as “ungodly and inhumane” and directed the local security agencies to pursue the attackers.
“This is a sad moment, for a priest to be killed in such a manner means that we are not all safe, these terrorists have lost it, and drastic action is needed to end this ongoing carnage,” Bello said.
In a statement by the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger, State, Bulu Yohanna, the body condemned the killing of the priest.
Yohanna called on the Nigerian government and security agencies to arrest the spate of killings across the country.
He 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 said.
Yohanna also sent his condolence to the Catholic Diocese of Minna, the parishioners of the church and the family of the slain priest. He prays for the repose of the soul of Mr Achi.
Achi served as the parish priest of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church where he died. He was also the chairman of his local branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
“May the soul of very Reverend Father Isaac Achi and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in perfect peace,” the Diocese of Minna said in a statement.
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