In two separate incidents on Sunday in central and north-west Nigeria, gunmen killed a Catholic priest and kidnapped five worshippers, according to information obtained by AFP from police sources.
According to Wasiu Biodun, a spokesman for the state’s police, armed persons locally known as “bandits” set fire to a priest’s home in the village of Kafin-Koro (centre) at around 02:00 GMT, killing him from his burns.
They set fire to the house of Father Isaac Achi, after failing to gain access. “Unfortunately, the bandits set the house on fire, while the said Reverend Father was burnt alive,” he said.
The attackers shot and injured another priest as he attempted to flee, and while Father Collins was being taken to the hospital for treatment, Father Isaac’s lifeless body was found, the statement claimed.
A few hours later, “bandits” came into a house in the Katsina State village of Dan Tsauni (Kankara district, north-west), grabbed five worshippers who were getting ready to attend Sunday mass in a local church, and carried them off.
“The terrorists seized five people in the house, shot a priest in hand and fled with the five hostages,” state police spokesman Gambo Isa told AFP.
He stated that the priest was transferred to a hospital for treatment.
Authorities in Nigeria are fighting to stop the escalating violence in the north and central parts of the country where armed gangs prey on rural communities, killing thousands of people and kidnapping individuals for ransom. Residents claimed that suspects are rarely apprehended and that security agents are frequently overpowered and outgunned.
Attacks on clergymen and other members of the clergy have occurred. Rev. John Mark Chietnum was abducted in the north-west Kaduna state in July of last year and later assassinated.
The occurrence on Sunday drew criticism from all over the world. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani described the incident as “cowardly and brutal” in a statement.
Niger state Gov. Abubakar Sani Bello said the killing signaled that no one was safe. “These terrorists have lost it and drastic action is needed to end this ongoing carnage,” he said.
Nigeria’s Christian Association has asked authorities to investigate and do more to protect civilians. “Enough of the attacks and wanton killings of innocent Nigerian citizens,” said Bulus Yohanna, the association’s chairman.
