The mother of Fr. Isaac Achi attended the funeral with several family members. As the body of the slain priest was being carried from the church to the cemetery within the church premises, women wailed profusely.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Tears flowed freely when the remains of Very Reverend Father Isaac Achi, who was burnt to death by terrorists in Kafin-koro last Sunday were committed to mother earth on Friday in the St Michael Catholic Cemetery in Bosso, Niger State.
TheNiche reported last week that Rev. Father Achi, who was the Priest of St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church in Kafin-koro in Paikoro local government area of Niger, was killed when terrorists razed the parish house after their inability to gain access.
His Assistant, Father Collins, was shot while he was trying to escape.
Reverend Father Achi was the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Coordinator of Paikoro local government area of Niger State and the Dean and Parish Priest of St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church Kaffin-Koro in Minna Diocese.
Giving a reflection during the funeral service, the Dean of the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Catholic University, Port Harcourt, Very Revered Father Samuel Gwimi, lamented the gruesome way Revered Achi was killed saying that he and other Priests are still in shock over the death.
“I can still remember when I was called in the early hours of Sunday and told that the Parish house in Kafin-koro was on fire and Father Achi was inside and there was no water to put off the fire after those who did the evil had gone.
”When I was later called back, I got the shocking news that the body of our dear Father had been removed from the house and was being taken to Minna. I was rendered speechless as it was a painful experience to be associated with someone we love,” he said.
Gwimi said that they are still looking for answers and explanations as to why he was killed while stating that they have also consoled themselves in the Lord knowing the slain Priest was resting in the bosom of God.
He called on other Priests and Christians to immortalise Rev. Achi by exhibiting his character of generosity and seeker of truth and peace.
“Father Achi has touched every one of us in one way or the other. His generosity to individuals and groups cannot be quantified, and that is why his death is painful to us all. The separation from him is painful because of the touch and impact he has had in our lives.”
Gwimi appealed to political leaders and security agents to be proactive about security and prevent future occurrences of what happened to Father Achi.
He said that Father Achi fought a good fight of faith and finished the race and is already sitting peacefully with God.
The Bishop of Minna, Bishop Martin Igwemezie Uzoukwu, described Father Achi as a courageous and peace-loving man who stood for peace and justice saying that he will be greatly missed by all.
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He called on the government to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
The Niger state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Reverend Bulus Dauda Yohanna, described the slain Priest as one who always proffers solutions to problems and was very generous to everyone.
A service of songs was held on Thursday evening at the St. Michael Catholic Church in Minna where intercessory prayers were held for the repose of the soul of the slain Priest.
The mother of Fr. Isaac Achi attended the funeral with several family members.
About 500 priests and religious leaders came from within and outside Nigeria to attend the service of songs and the funeral.
There was also a crowd inside and outside the premises of the church who waited to bid farewell to the late Priest as the church could not contain several people.
As the body of the slain priest was being carried from the church to the cemetery within the church premises, women outside in different uniforms wailed.
