A Catholic Priest of the Diocese of Minna Father John Gbakaan Yaji has been kidnapped and killed by bandits in Niger state.
The bandits have also in different operations in the state abducted 37 persons within the last four days, it was learnt.
The incident of the kidnap and subsequent killing of Father Yaji was said to have occured on Friday night in Tufa village along Lambata-Lapai road of the state.
The late Reverend was said to be returning from Lambata where he had attended a religious meeting along with his colleagues but was kidnapped and killed on his way back to his station.
It was gathered that late Yaji was kidnapped along with his younger brother whose whereabouts are yet unknown.
Efforts to get the state Spokesman of the Police Command, ASP Wasiu Abiodun, for confirmation proved abortive but a Reverend of the Catholic Diocese who pleaded anonymity confirmed the story.
However, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger state described the abduction and killing as unfortunate and painful.
Confirming the incident in Minna, the state Chairman of CAN, Revd. Mathias Echioda, said it is unfortunate.
He said, “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.”
Also in separate attacks in other parts of the state, the bandits reportedly abducted 20 people last Thursday from Duguru in Madaka ward of Rafi local government area who were on their way to Madaka market.
In the same vein, 17 people have been kidnapped by bandits in three communities in Bassa/Kukoki ward of Shiroro local government area of Niger state.
They were reportedly kidnapped on Saturday night in Madagwa, Wongo and Marenje communities.
The Co-convener, Concerned Shiroro Youths, Sani Abubakar Yusuf Kokki, confirmed the abduction Sunday, saying that the whereabouts of the victims were not known yet.
He described the abductions as disheartening and unfortunate saying, “it is unfair that 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 governments areas of Niger state.
