Gunmen stormed a Catholic church and burnt a priest to death in northwest Nigeria on Sunday, in Niger state.
Police spokesperson for Niger state, Wasiu Abiodun, said in a statement that armed men torched the residence of Rev. Father Isaac Achi, of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, in Paikoro local government area, after failing to gain entry around 3:00 a.m.
Father Achi was burned to death while another priest identified as Rev. Father Collins, who was at the house, was shot and injured as he tried to escape.
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 dead.
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“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 investigation into the unfortunate attack has commenced.”
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led my Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna has also condemned the incident.
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The association called on all three tiers of government to improve efforts to secure lives and properties in the state and to apprehend the suspects.
