A Catholic Priest of the Diocese of Minna, Reverend Father John Gbakaan Yaji, has been killed by bandits in Niger state.

It was learnt that the Priest was first kidnapped before he was killed by the bandits.

His body was discovered on Sunday.

It was learnt the priest was kidnapped on Friday night in Tufa village along Lambata-Lapai road on his way to his station after a religious meeting in Lambata.

The late Priest was kidnapped alongside his brother but the whereabouts of the brother remains unknown.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Niger, ASP Abiodun Wasiu, said he will get back to The Nation when he contacted.

However, a Reverend of the Catholic Diocese of Minna, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the incident, saying that search has intensified towards recovering the younger brother of the priest.

Meanwhile, 17 other people have also been reportedly kidnapped by bandits in the state.

They were kidnapped in three different communities including Bassa/Kukoki Ward both in Shiroro local government area of the state. Vanguard gathered that the people were kidnapped on Saturday night in Madagwa, Wongo and Marenje Communities. The bandits were said to have stormed the various towns in the communities and started shooting in the night and succeeded in kidnapping the helpless residents.

Five of the people it was also gathered were abducted from Wongo and Marenje communities while the seven other people were abducted in Madagwa. Confirming the incidence to journalists, the Co-convener, Concerned Shiroro Youths, Sani Abubakar Yusuf Kokki described the development as very sad adding that the bandits are yet to make contacts with relatives of those abducted and their whereabouts is unknown. Last Thursday, 20 people were also said to have been kidnapped from Duguru in Madaka Ward of Rafi local government area of the state. They were said to be on their way to Madaka market on the fateful day before they ended up in the hands of the bandits.

Pieced together from reports by The Nation and Vanguard.

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