By Fatima Zahra Muhammad
ASHENEWS reports that rioting youths had burnt down the Divisional Police Headquarters in Kaffin-Korro, Paikoro local government area of Niger state.
This online platform gathered that the incident, which happened on Tuesday was in reaction to the murder of Rev. Father Isaac Achi, a Catholic priest of St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church, Paiko by bandits on Sunday morning.
ASHENEWS earlier on Sunday reported that the cleric was burnt alive when bandits set his house on fire during an attack.
Reports further revealed that Tuesday’s incident turned violent shortly after a group of women had convened to protest the killing of the cleric in front of his house.
In its reaction to the incident, the Niger state government has promised to take strict action against those found taking laws into their hands concerning the unfortunate killing of the cleric.
The government, through the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Humanitarian Services, Emmanuel Umar condemned in strong terms, the actions of the protesters.
“Violence has no place in our communities; we understand the times and trends we are living in. No man on this land is permitted to take laws into his or her hands. The same way we go after bandits is the same way we will go after whoever takes laws into his or her hands because we have the responsibility to protect the lives of everyone.
“Since the incident happened on Sunday, you have seen the commitment of the government. That is why we are calling on communities to support the government in ridding the state of bandits and not to take sides by vandalizing government property,” he said.
Similarly, the Niger State Police Command has said that it has dispatched a reinforcement team from Minna, the Niger state capital to quell the unrest.
A statement issued in this regard on Tuesday by the spokesperson, DSP Wasiu Abiodun reads: “On 17/01/2023, at about 0900hrs, some angry youths of Kafin-Koro District, Paikoro LGA mobilized and protested in Kafin-Koro town over the killing of the Parish Rev. Fr. Isaac,
“During the protest, the rampaging youths attacked and set Kaffin-Koro Divisional Headquarters ablaze.
“The value of items damaged and burnt is yet to be ascertained. However, reinforcement teams led deputy commissioner of police, operations, have been dispatched to the scene and normalcy has been restored.”
