Priest found 'burnt alive' in home after botched burglary attempt by gunman

18 January 2023 , 01:31

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Rev Isaac Achi was killed in the Paikoro area of Niger state (Image: Diocese of Minna)

A priest was burned alive in his home in a botched burglary where a gunman failed to break into the building and instead set it on fire in Nigeria.

Rev Isaac Achi was killed in the Paikoro area of Niger state, in the north of the country on Sunday, while another priest was wounded but was able to escape.

Police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun has told how the gunman was unable to get inside and set it ablaze while the other priest, who also lived in the compound, suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder as he ran to safety.

"Unfortunately, the bandits reportedly attempted to gain entrance into the residence, which seemed difficult," so they "set the house ablaze" and the Catholic priest burned to death, Mr Wasiu said.

Nigerian authorities are struggling to stem rising violence in the north and central regions where armed groups target rural communities, killing thousands and abducting people to ransom. Security forces are often outnumbered and outgunned and suspects are seldom detained, residents said.

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Rev Isaac Achi died after his home was set on fire

The attacks sometimes target religious figures such as clerics. In July last year, Rev John Mark Chietnum was killed after he was kidnapped in the north western Kaduna state.

Sunday's incident sparked international condemnation. In a statement, Antonio Tajani, the Italian foreign minister, called the attack "cowardly and inhuman."

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.

The building was set ablaze by the gunman after he failed to get inside (Fr. Stephen Daniel)

Violence has also seen gunmen kidnap several passengers at a railway station in southern Nigeria on January 7, police said.

Armed men attacked the station in Igueben town in Edo State, abducting an unknown number of people waiting to board, said Chidi Nwabuzor, the police spokesman for Edo State, in a statement.

The kidnappers " shot sporadically into the air" before taking the passengers, leaving some with bullet wounds, Mr Nwabuzor said.

Rescue operations are underway to find the victims and arrest the abductors.

Tim Hanlon