Crime
Black Sunday: Catholic priest burned to death in Niger
Black Sunday: Catholic priest burned to death in Niger
A Catholic priest, Reverend Father Isaac Achi, has been burned to death in his residence at Kafin Koro, Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State.
The late Rev Father Achi, until his death, was the Kafin Koro Deanery of the Minna Diocese of Niger state and the Reverend Father in charge of St. Peter’s and Paul Catholic Kafin Koro.
According to a source close to Kafin Koro, the gunmen in their numbers stormed the uphill residence of the deceased Rev. Father which is about one Kilometer from the main town around 1:00 am and surrounded his house.
After about an hour of fruitless effort to force their way into the house, the gunmen were said to have poured Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly refers to as petrol around the house before setting it ablaze.
His assistant, whose name was given as Rev Father Collins, was shut on his leg while trying to escape from the fire and he is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical fertility in Minna, the state capital.
It was gathered that while the gunmen were trying to get access into the house, the deceased, according to our source, put a distress call to a family member who alerted the Divisional Police Office in charge of Kafin Koro Division but the gunmen were said to have outnumbered the police.
It was further gathered that the gunmen, after setting the building on fire, waited until it was razed down to ashes with the late Reverend Father inside before taking their leave without any challenge.
Meanwhile, the state Police Command was yet to issue a statement on the incident, but the Commissioner for Internal Security and Humanitarian Affairs, Mr Emmanuel Umar, confirmed the murder of the Catholic Priest but said the security agents have been mobilised to the area.
It could be recalled that the late Reverend Father Isaac Achi, a native of Kafin Koro, survived the December 2011 bombing of Saint Theresa Catholic Church, Madella in the Suleja local government area of the state.
Two years later in 2013, the late Reverend Father escaped another kidnap attempt when the gunmen invaded his residence.
Black Sunday: Catholic priest burned to death in Niger
Troops intercept suspected Boko Haram fuel suppliers in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have intercepted a vehicle loaded with suspected logistics supplies for Boko Haram terrorists in Yusufari Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Security sources said the operation was carried out late on March 24 by troops of the 241 Battalion deployed at a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Jajimaji.
According to the sources, the troops, while on night patrol, intercepted two vehicles loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at a filling station located in Yusuf Abah in Yusufari.
“On sighting the troops, the vehicles attempted to flee the scene, prompting a pursuit by the soldiers. One Golf vehicle was successfully intercepted, while the second vehicle escaped,” the source said.
A search conducted on the intercepted vehicle revealed seven sacks filled with PMS, each containing about 77 litres.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Mohammed Idi, 25, and a motor boy, Mero Umra, 21, were arrested.
Also apprehended were the filling station manager, Hasan Liman, 50, and a security guard, Jibril Audu, 28.
Further search led to the recovery of a cash sum of N1.6 million suspected to be proceeds or funds linked to the illicit supply operation.
The suspects and recovered items are currently in military custody pending further investigation.
The interception illustrates ongoing efforts by troops of Operation Hadin Kai to disrupt the logistics network sustaining insurgent activities in the North-East.
Troops intercept suspected Boko Haram fuel suppliers in Yobe
Seven soldiers killed in ambush in tillabéri region in Niger Republic
By: Zagazola Makama
At least seven soldiers of the Nigerien Defence and Security Forces (FDS) have been killed in a deadly ambush following an incursion by suspected fighters of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) near Sanam in Tillabéri Region.
Security sources said the incident occurred on Tuesday, March 24, in the Sanam area, located in Abala Department.
According to the sources, heavily armed assailants attacked Wanni village at about 9:00 a.m., rustling livestock before fleeing the scene.
The FDS reportedly launched a pursuit operation but were ambushed by the attackers during the chase.
A provisional toll indicates that seven soldiers were killed, while two others sustained serious injuries and were evacuated to Niamey for medical treatment.
The sources further disclosed that one military vehicle and its crew remain unaccounted for as of the time of filing this report.
Tillabéri Region, in western Niger, has remained a hotspot of extremist violence, with frequent attacks attributed to armed groups linked to the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara.
Seven soldiers killed in ambush in tillabéri region in Niger Republic
Troops arrest two suspected terrorists’ informants in Damboa axis in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested two suspected informants linked to Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the general area of Damboa Local Government Area of Borno.
A military source said the suspects, identified as Musa Alhaji Isah, 28, and Akona Alhaji, 30, were apprehended at about 5:30 a.m. on March 23 by troops of 25 Brigade during routine operations.
The suspects, both natives of Shiwari community in Damboa LGA, were intercepted following suspicious movements within a location described as “Serial 7 general area,” an outer deployment zone leading to the Timbuktu Triangle, a known terrorists’ enclave.
According to the source, preliminary findings suggest that the suspects may have been conducting reconnaissance for terrorist elements operating in the axis.
Items recovered from them include two bicycles, one mobile phone, three daggers, a torchlight, a wristwatch, charms, and a cash sum of N6,900.
The suspects are currently in the custody of the Military Intelligence Response unit for further investigation.
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