Almost 12 years after surviving a Christmas Day bombing of his church, St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla in Suleja local government area of Niger State, Rev. Fr. Isaac Achi, was not so lucky on Sunday, January 15, 2023 as terrorists burnt him alive in his church home in St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church, Kafin-Koro, Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger.
In the Madalla church bombing, 35 people were killed and many more injured in an attack the Islamist group, Boko Haram, claimed responsibility.
Fr. Achi prays for forgiveness
At a Christmas and commemorative service in 2012, Rev. Fr. Isaac Achi, who was still the parish priest, appealed to Christians to learn to forgive all those who deliberately hurt them.
Father Achi said those who perpetrate evil against the state and innocent citizens require prayers from Christian faithful’s.
He called on Christians to remain prayerful saying the power of prayer and love can overcome all situations.
Early morning attack
The Abuja Inquirer learnt from the police that Rev. Fr Achi’s residence was ambushed around 3am on Sunday, and when the attackers could not gain access to him as a result of fortified security, they decided to burn down the building in which the priest was.
Achi was attached to St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church, Kafin-Koro, Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger.
Confirming the tragic incident, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said another priest was shot during the attack.
In a statement, Abiodun said, “On 15/01/2023 at about 0300hrs, armed bandits invaded the Parish residence of one Rev. Father Isaac Achi of St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church, along Daza road, Kafin-Koro, Paikoro LGA.
“Unfortunately, the bandits reportedly attempted to gain entrance into the residence, but seems difficult and set the house ablaze, while the said Rev. Father was burnt dead.
“A colleague of the Rev. Father identified as Father Collins was equally shot in the shoulder while trying to escape from the scene. Police tactical teams attached to Kafin-Koro Div were immediately drafted to the scene, but the hoodlums had escaped before the arrival of the teams.
“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 investigation into the unfortunate attack has commenced.”
A history of tragedies
A post on Facebook, the social media platform, by another priest, Rev. Fr. Christopher Damina, documented some of Fr. Achi’s near-misses before the Sunday tragedy.
The post reads: “As if he was destined to die in a cruel and brutal manner in the hands of bandits, he was the parish priest of St. Theresa Madalla that year when his parishioners were attacked on Christmas Day and scores of them were killed.
“He was attacked in the same place by robbers a couple of times but he survived by the whiskers; now they have succeeded in killing him this early morning when father was preparing to begin the celebration of masses he had arranged for today, Sunday. Misery as this has once again refreshed the pain caused by the brutal murder of my only classmate, Fr. Vitus Borogo, on the 25th of June, 2022. Fr. Isaac Achi was a very vibrant priest, a happy, humble and simple person. I saw him few months ago in Kaduna looking strong and happy. May God receive your soul father and grant you eternal rest.”
