It was a pathetic situation on Sunday when the priest in charge of St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church, Kafin-Koro in the Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State, Very Rev. Fr. Isaac Achi, gruesomely murdered by bandits in the early hours of Sunday..
It was reported that the Bandits reportedly stormed the premises of the church along Daza Road, in the early hours of Sunday, and burnt the priest to ashes.
The hoodlums was said to have also shot Fr. Achi’s assistant identified as Father Collins. He is said to be terribly wounded and was rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.
The Niger State Police spokesman, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday.
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.
“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 PPRO said the State Commissioner of Police, CP Ogundele Ayodeji had dispatched a reinforcement team to the area and effort is ongoing to apprehend the assailants, adding that investigation has commenced.
