Niger: Again Christendom Suffers Casualty As Gunmen Kill Catholic Priest, Set House Ablaze

By Ayodele Oni

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger state has flayed the early Sunday morning attack on a Catholic parish home in the state, which led to the death of a clergy.

Report states that gunmen suspected to be Armed Bandits in the early hours of Sunday attacked the Catholic Parish house in Kaffin Koro in Paikoro local government area of Niger State, killing the Parish Priest, Rev Fr. Isaac Achi, while his assistant, identified as Father Collins was fatally injured.

It was gathered that the gunmen, had who struck at about 1am, shot sporadically, set ablaze the Parish house and forced themselves through the wall where they killed the Priest.

An Assistant to the murdered Priest, Father Collins was equally shot on the shoulder while trying to escape from the scene.

The state CAN, in a statement, called on the government and security agencies to double efforts in protecting the lives of people.

The statement, signed by Media Aide, Daniel Atori, the Chairman of CAN, Most Rev Bulus Dauwa Yohanna appealed to the Police and the relevant agencies to investigate the killings and bring the culprits to book.

“I strongly condemn the gruesome killing of the Catholic Priest of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Kaffin Koro, Rev fr. Isaac Achi in Paikoro local government area of Niger State.

“This is a call on the government and security agencies to investigate the attacks and killings and ensure the culprits are brought to book.

“Enough of these attacks and wanton killings of innocent lives.

“One of the primary responsibilities of government is to protect lives and properties of the people you govern.”

He also condole with the Parish, the entire Christendom and the immediate family of Very Rev fr. Isaac Achi.

The Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command  Ogundele Ayodeji who confirmed the incident, said he had dispatched a reinforcement team to the area and effort is ongoing to apprehend the assailants as investigation into the unfortunate attack has commenced.

In a Statement, signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, the Commissioner said Police tactical teams attached to Kaffin-Koro Division were immediately drafted to the scene, but that the hoodlums had escaped before the arrival of the teams.