In the early hours of Sunday, armed bandits stormed the Parish residence of one Rev. Father Isaac Achi of St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church, along Daza road, Kafin-Koro, Paikoro LGA of Niger state.
This was confirmed in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer of the state, DSP W. A Abiodun, who narrated that the bandits attempted to gain entrance into the residence at about 3 am, but faced difficulties and eventually resorted to setting the house ablaze, while the said Rev. Father was still in it.
According to DSP Abiodun, a colleague of the Rev. Father identified as Father Collins was equally shot in the shoulder while trying to escape from the scene.
He also disclosed that tactical teams attached to Kaffin-Koro Div were immediately dispatched to the scene, but the insurgents escaped before the arrival of the teams.
However, 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 an investigation into the unfortunate attack has commenced.
“In a related development, Operatives of the Command attached to Saminaka Division acted on credible information and launched a successful operation on the 13th January, 2023 at Warsa Piti Area of Saminaka Lere LGA where they arrested two bandits, namely; (1) Dauda Yusuf ‘m’ 35yrs, and (2) Sani Ibrahim ‘m’ 30yrs.
“When a thorough search was conducted on them, a locally fabricated GPMG rifle with its six (6) rounds of live ammunition and a Dane gun were equally recovered.
“Upon preliminary investigation, the suspects confessed to the ownership of the weapons and are currently assisting the Police in investigation at the end of which they will be charged to court.”