Nigeria: Priest killed, another injured in arson attack

Father Isaac Achi

Source: Minna Diocese/Vatican News

A Catholic parish priest, Father Isaac Achi, was killed in Nigeria on Sunday when his house was set on fire by bandits. Another priest, Father Collins Omeh, who tried to escape was shot and injured.

The attack took place before dawn at the parish residence of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Kafin-Koro, Paikoro region, Niger State.

When security forces arrived, the bandits fled, setting the house on fire. Father Collins Omeh, is receiving treatment in hospital

The Catholic Diocese of Minna released a statement calling for prayers for the Diocese and for the quick recovery of Fr Collins.

The State's Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, said in a statement that the bandits had attempted to enter the residence and when they failed they set fire to the house, killing Fr Achi in the blaze.

He said police tactical teams from Kafin-Koro "were immediately dispatched to the scene, but the perpetrators fled before they arrived... The Commissioner of Police, State Command, Ogundele Ayodeji, sent a reinforcement team to the area and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the assailants, while investigations into the tragic attack have commenced."