…Abduct female cook
…. Mobs kill traditional ruler
….. Government imposes curfew
By Daniel Tyokua
There is intense fear in Niger state as bandits burnt Catholic priest, Isaac Achi of Saint Peter and Paul, Kafin – Koro in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger state, and abducted the cook.
The bandits invaded the community in the wee hours of Sunday, and started shooting sporadically while heading to the residence of the priest.
An eyewitness in the area, who identified himself as Paul, said the bandits divided themselves into two, some went to the Catholic priest’s official residence, while others stationed themselves in the town shooting to wade away any form of interference.
Paul confirmed that when the bandits couldn’t access the late Achi’s residence after a long while, they set the building ablaze and waited until the priest burnt to ashes.
In Gurara Local Government Area of the same Niger East Senatorial District, yet to be arrested hoodlums have killed Mohammed Abdulsafur, the village head of Lambata under Suleja Emirate Council.
Abdulsafur was killed after the hoodlums invaded his palace in the community and injured two of his son.
An inside source told The AUTHORITY that, trouble stated during a political meeting in the area, when he (Abdulsafur) reported to be crowned by the Emir of Suleja, Mallam Awwal Ibrahim about 3 years ago, stood up to speak when it was time for a traditional ruler to speak.
Irked by the action, one Iliya Shuaibu, same Lambata village head, said to be installed by the current chairman, Gurara Local Government, walked up to him and removed cap of the murdered monarch, and questioned him, explaining that he was not recognized as the chief.
Prior to his killing, Abdulsafur ran to Gurara police station for safety, which he later returned to his house when he thought the tension was over but was attacked and killed by the mobs.
Following the ugly development, Niger state governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has imposed a 6:00 pm to 6:00 am curfew on the Lambata community.
In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, Sunday, said that the curfew takes effect from yesterday, January 15, 2023 till further notice.
The government condemned the killing of the monarch, and described the incident as an act of lawlessness.
It also charged the security agencies to restore peace in the area.
“Government has condemned in strong terms the violence and act of lawlessness that has occurred in Lambata town.
“The imposition of the curfew in Lambata was to assist the security agencies to stabilize the situation in the area, save lives and enable the restoration of law and order”
On police response, the Niger State Police Command said it had deployed a reinforcement team to track down the suspected killers of a Catholic priest, Very Rev. Fr. Issac Achi, of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church.
This is contained in a statement issued Sunday, by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Wasiu Abiodun.
