Niger state Police confirms the killing of Catholic priest

The Police Command in Niger State North Central Nigeria, has confirmed an attack on the residence of the Catholic Bishop of Paikoro, Rev. Father Isaac Achi of St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church, in Paikoro Local Government Area of the State.

A statement by DSP Wasiu Abiodun, the spokesperson of the Police Command in Niger State, says “armed bandits invaded the Parish residence of the Rev. Father and set the house ablaze which consumed the Rev Father “.

DSP Abiodun equally said a colleague of the Rev. Father, Father Collins was equally shot on the shoulder while trying to escape from the scene.

He said the lifeless body of Father Isaac was recovered while Father Collins was rushed to the hospital for treatment when the Police tactical teams attached to Kaffin-Koro Division stormed the scene.

“The hoodlums had escaped before the arrival of the teams”.

DSP Abiodun however said the Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, CP Ogundele Ayodeji had already dispatched a reinforcement team to the area and effort is ongoing to apprehend the assailants as investigation into the unfortunate attack has commenced.

Meanwhile, the Niger State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), which condemned the killing of the Catholic Priest, has called on the government and security agencies to double their efforts in tackling banditry and insecurity

The CAN Chairman in the state, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, in a statement condoled with the catholic diocese of Minna, Parishioners and the entire Christendom as well as the immediate family of the slayed priest.

Rev. Dauwa further called for investigations into the attacks, adding that the culprits must be brought to justice.

Until his death, the slain Priest was the CAN Coordinator of Paikoro Local Government area in Niger State as well as the Dean and Parish Priest of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church kaffinkoro, in Minna Diocese.