- 17 persons kidnapped
The Catholic Priest of the Diocese of Minna, Reverend Father John Gbakaan Yaji, who was kidnapped by bandits in Niger, was strangled to death with his black and white Rosary.
A source in the Catholic Diocese of Minna, who pleaded anonymity, said the Reverend Father was tortured to death.
The source said he conveyed the body of the Priest to the mortuary in IBB Hospital Minna.
A search on the body, he said, revealed the priest was subjected to brutal torture leading to his death.
The source further said the bandits have been asking for ransom for release of the brother, who was abducted with the Priest.
The Police were yet to speak on the incident.
But the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger described the incident as unfortunate and painful.
Niger CAN Chairman, Rev Mathias Echioda, lamented the increasing spate of kidnappings and killings by bandits in the state.
“These attacks are unfortunate and we should not base them as religious but we should all come together to put an end to banditry. And I know God who answers prayers will deliver us from the hands of the wicked,” he said.
Meanwhile, armed andits have kidnapped 17 persons in three communities in Bassa/Kukoki ward of Shiroro local government area of Niger state.
They were kidnapped on Saturday night in Madagwa, Wongo and Marenje communities.
It was learnt the bandits stormed the town at different times on Saturday night.
It was gathered five people were abducted from Wongo and Marenje communities while about seven people were abducted from Madagwa.
The Co-convener, Concerned Shiroro Youths, Sani Abubakar Yusuf Kokki, confirmed the abduction saying that the whereabouts of the victims were not known yet.
He described the abductions as disheartening and unfortunate, saying it was unfair the locals have been left to their fate.
Kokki lamented that kidnappings and other related criminal activities have become the order of the day in the entire Rafi and Shiroro local government areas of Niger State.
The Nation also learnt last Thursday, 20 people from Duguru in Madaka Ward of Rafi local government area on their way to Madaka market were kidnapped by bandits.
The Nation
