By Ummi Ismaeel,
Minna
A Catholic Priest of the Diocese of Minna, Rev. Fr. John Gbakaan Yaji has been kidnapped and killed by suspected armed bandits in Niger State.
Also, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on government to live up to its responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of citizenry.
The incidence was said to have occured on Friday night in Tufa village along the Lambata-Lapai road when the assailants accosted him and his younger brother on their way back to Minna after an engagement.
His body was later found dead; but the whereabouts of the junior brother, who was with him, is yet uknown.
Spokesman of the Niger State Police Command, ASP Wasiu Abiodun, could not confirm the report as efforts to reach him proved abortive.
The Bishop of Catholic Diocese (Minna), Igwe Uzoukwu, could not as well be reached for comments as he was said to have travelled out of town for an engagements.
But a Catholic Priest from the Diocese confirmed the murder of Fr. John on the condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, has described the abduction and killing of Rev. Fr. John Gbakaan Yaji as not only unfortunate but very painful.
The state CAN Chairman, Revd. Mathias Echioda, in his reaction lamented, “The attacks are unfortunate and we should not base them as religious but let us all come together to put an end to armed banditry. “I know that if we come together sincerely and pray fervently, God who answers prayers will definitely hear and deliver us from the hands of the wicked”, the CAN chairman said as he appealed to the government not to abandon citizenry to the mercy of blood thirsty criminals who derive joy in shedding blood of innocent, harmless citizens.