Armed bandits reportedly burnt Rev. Father Isaac Achi, the parish priest of St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church in Kafin-koro in the Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State, to death.
It was reported that his colleague, Father Collins, was injured by the robbers who broke into his home at three in the morning on Sunday, January 15, 2023.
Father Collins was wounded in the shoulder while attempting to flee the area.
According to reports, the terrorists tried to enter the Catholic parish house but were unsuccessful. They then allegedly set the parish house on fire and waited until it burned to ashes with the priest, who was inside.
DSP Abiodun Wasiu, a spokesman for the Niger Police Command, confirmed the event and stated that efforts are being made to capture the attackers.
The statement read, “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 seemed difficult and set the house ablaze, while the said Rev. Father was burnt dead.
“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.”
There have been continuous attacks on Catholic priests in Nigeria and I must really say that it’s unfair.
The worst part is that the government are not even moved by the re-occurring attacks.
