According to police officials, gunmen killed a Catholic priest and kidnapped five congregants in two separate incidents in central and northern Nigeria on Sunday.
Around 02:00 GMT in the village of Kafin-Koro (centre), Niger State, armed persons referred to simply as "bandits" set fire to the home of a priest, who was burnt to death, according to Wasiu Biodun, the state police spokesman.
After being unable to gain access, they set fire to Father Isaac Achi's residence. "Unfortunately, the bandits set the house on fire, while the said Reverend Father was burnt alive," he said.
The assailants shot and wounded another priest as he tried to escape: "The lifeless body of Father Isaac was recovered while Father Collins was
A few hours later, "bandits" stormed into a residence in Dan Tsauni (Kankara district, northwest), Katsina State, and kidnapped five worshippers who were about to attend Sunday mass at a neighbouring church.
"The terrorists kidnapped five individuals in the residence, shot a priest in the hand, and left with the five hostages," Gambo Isa, spokesman for the state police revealed.
He went on to say that the priest was brought to the hospital for treatment.
Nigerian authorities are battling escalating violence in the north and central areas of the country, where armed gangs are targeting rural villages, killing hundreds and kidnapping people for ransom. According to residents, security agents are frequently overpowered and outgunned, and suspects are rarely apprehended.
Religious people, such as priests, are sometimes targeted in the attacks. Rev. John Mark Chietnum was assassinated in July of last year after being kidnapped in Kaduna state's northeastern region.
The event on Sunday drew widespread outrage. The incident was described as "cowardly and brutal" by Italy's foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, in a statement.
The death, according to Niger state Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, signalled that no one was safe. "These terrorists have lost their minds, and serious action is required to put an end to this unending murder," he stated.
The Christian Association of Nigeria has requested that authorities investigate and do more to safeguard people.
"Enough of the attacks and wanton killings of innocent Nigerian citizens," said Bulus Yohanna, the association's chairman.