Terrorists Burn Recently Transferred Catholic Priest, Shoot Assistant in Niger State, Nigeria

Rev. Fr. Isaac Achi 

The Nigeria Police has confirmed the killing of Very Rev. Fr. Isaac Achi by terrorists who also set his lifeless body ablaze.

The incident which happened in the early hours of Sunday took place at St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church located along Daza Road, Kafin-Koro in the Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State.

Confirming the incident, the Niger Police Public Relations Officer DSP Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement, said the incident occurred at about 3 am 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."

Chinaza Asogwa who was a parishioner in one of the parishes Fr. Achi has once led, described the late priest as one who protects his parishioners.

She wrote in a tweet, "When my mom was pregnant with my younger sister and my dad was out of town. I was just 6 at the time and we (when) thieves attacked our house. My mom called him panicking and he drove straight to our house with police men. You dare not step on his parishioners. This cuts my soul deep."