Bandits kill Catholic priest, burn corpse, shoot colleague

Late Rev. Father Isaac Achi.

THE Reverend Father of St. Peters Catholic Church in Kaffin-Koro, Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State, Rev. Father Isaac Achi, was, killed by bandits and his corpse burnt in his room.

His colleague, Father Collins, was also shot by the bandits while trying to escape from the burning building.

It was gathered that the bandits had made efforts to force their way into the residence of the Reverend Father but met brick walls and after which they set the house ablaze and the priest was burnt.

A colleague of the Reverend Father identified as Father Collins while trying to escape from the burning building was shot in the shoulder. 

The remains of Father Isaac were recovered while Father Collins was rushed to the hospital.

The Police tactical teams attached to Kaffin-Koro Division were drafted to the scene but the bandits escaped before their arrival.

Spokesman of Niger State Police Command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, who confirmed the incident in a statement, said the state Commissioner of Police, Ogundele Ayodeji, had dispatched a reinforcement team to the area, adding that effort was ongoing to apprehend the assailants as an investigation into the unfortunate attack had also commenced.

CAN condemns killing

Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State has condemned the gruesome killing of the Catholic priest.

A statement by the CAN Chairman, Most Rev Bulus Yohanna, while condemning the dastardly act, condoled with the Catholic Diocese of Minna, parishioners and the entire Christendom as well as the immediate family of the slain priest and prayed for the repose of his soul.

The CAN chairman called for investigations into the attacks, adding that the culprits must be brought to book, saying: ”Enough of the attacks and wanton killings of innocent citizens.”

Until his death, the deceased was the CAN Coordinator of Paikoro LGA, the Dean and Parish Priest of Saints Peter and Paul's Catholic Church, Kaffin-Koro in Minna Diocese.

Culled from Vanguard