Catholic Priest Killed In Nigeria

On January 15th, a tragic event occurred in the village of Kafin Koro, northern Nigeria, where a band of armed criminals set fire to the rectory of the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, resulting in the death of one of its priests, Father Isaac Achi.

The Catholic Diocese of Minna, Nigeria confirmed the discovery of Father Achi’s body among the ashes of the parish building.

The attack took place at the early hours of 3 a.m. when the bandits broke into the priest’s residence. Another priest present in the rectory, Father Collins Omeh, was able to escape the burning building, but not without sustaining gunshot wounds. He is currently receiving medical treatment.

The Governor of the Nigerian state of Niger, Alhaji Sani Bello Abubakar, has labeled the attack as “ungodly and inhumane” and has ordered the local security agencies to pursue the attackers, as reported by The Daily Post. He further stated, “This is a sad moment, for a priest to be killed in such a manner means that we are not all safe, these terrorists have lost it, and drastic action is needed to end this ongoing carnage.”

Father Isaac Achi was not only a dedicated parish priest of the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, but also served as the chairman of his local branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

The Diocese of Minna, in a statement shared by the Nigeria Catholic Network, expressed their condolences, “May the soul of very Reverend Father Isaac Achi and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in perfect peace.”

This senseless act of violence has shaken the community and serves as a reminder of the ongoing dangers and the need for peace and justice in the region.

Pray for Father Achi!

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