Fr. Isaac Achi’s burial Pictures: Courtesy, The Nation
There was free flow of tears as the remains of Very Rev. Fr. Isaac Achi, who was burnt to death by terrorists in Kafin-koro last Sunday, were committed to earth Friday at St. Michael’s Catholic Cburch Cemetery in Bosso, Niger State.
Recall that Fr. Achi, who was the Parish Priest of St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church, Kafin-koro in Paikoro Local Government Area, Niger state, was killed when terrorists razed the Parish House following their inability to gain access into the house.
His assistant, Fr. Collins, was shot while he was trying to escape. He however survived the gun shot.
Fr. Achi was the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Coordinator for Paikoro LGA and the Dean and Parish Priest of St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Kaffin-Koro, in Minna Diocese.
Delivering his homily during the funeral service, the Dean of the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Catholic University, Port Harcourt, Very Rev. Fr. Samuel Gwimi, lamented the gruesome way Fr. Achi was murdered, saying he and other priests are still in shock over the death.
“I can still remember when I was called in the early hours of Sunday and told that the Parish House in Kafin-koro was on fire and Fr. Achi was inside and there was no water to put off the fire after those who did the evil had gone.
”When I was later called back, I got the shocking news that the body of our dear Father had been removed from the house and was being taken to Minna.
“I was rendered speechless as it was a painful experience to be associated with someone, especially someone we love,” he said.
Gwimi said they are still looking for answers and explanations as to why he was killed, adding that they have also consoled themselves in the Lord, knowing that the slain Priest was resting in the bosom of God.
He called on other Priests and Christians to immortalise Fr. Achi by exhibiting his character of generosity and seeking of truth and peace.
“Fr. Achi has touched every one of us in one way or the other.
“His generosity to individuals and groups cannot be quantified, and that is why his death is painful to us all.
“The separation from him is painful because of the touch and impact he has had in our lives,” he stressed.
Fr. Gwimi appealed to political leaders and security agents to be proactive about security and prevent future occurrences of what happened to Fr. Achi and several other Nigerians.
He said that Fr. Achi “fought a good fight of faith and finished the race and is already resting peacefully with God”.
The Bishop of Minna, Most Rev. DR. Martin Igwemezie Uzoukwu, described Fr. Achi as “a courageous and peace-loving man who stood for peace and justice,” saying that he will be greatly missed by all.
He called on the government to ensure that the perpetrators are immediately brought to book.
The Chsiran, Niger State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev. Bulus Dauda Yohanna, described the slain priest as one “who always proffers solutions to problems and was very generous to everyone”.
A service of songs was held in honour of the slain Priest on Thursday evening at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Minna, where intercessory prayers were held for the repose of the soul of the slain Priest.
The mother of Fr. Achi attended the funeral with several family members.
About 500 priests and religious leaders came from within and outside Nigeria to attend the service of songs and the funeral.
There was also a crowd inside and outside the premises of the church who waited to bid farewell to the late priest as the church auditorium proved too little not contain several people.
As the body of the slain priest was being carried from the church to the cemetery, located within the church premises, the sympathisers, parishioners, visitors, including able-bodied young men in different uniforms, wailed, lamenting the gruesome killing of a man, described generally for his good virtues.
