The Christian Affiliation of Nigeria has condemned the killing of a Catholic priest in central Niger state Sunday and advised Christians may must take up arms to defend themselves.

Gunmen believed to be Islamist militants set fireplace to the priest’s residence, burning him to demise, and shot one other priest who was fleeing the assault.

Individually on Sunday, police in northwest Katsina state say armed males attacked a church, abducting at the very least 9 worshippers.

The nationwide spokesperson of the Christian Affiliation of Nigeria, Luminous Jannamike, condemned the assault on Monday and informed VOA the affiliation was upset within the safety system.

He known as on Nigerian authorities to seek out the perpetrators and prosecute them to stop “a state of affairs the place residents will likely be requested to take up arms.”

Armed males Sunday burned the Reverend Isaac Achi to demise in his house in central Niger state after failing to interrupt in.

The attackers additionally shot one other priest making an attempt to flee the assault however he survived.

Jannamike spoke to VOA by way of cellphone.

“C.A.N is just not pleased with the assaults on clerics. And we ask the authorities to go after these behind this and convey them to guide,” Jannamike mentioned. “Christians in Nigeria have been fairly accommodating, peaceable, cordial with folks of different faiths.”

The motive behind the assault is just not but clear however gunmen have continuously prior to now attacked church buildings and killed clergymen particularly within the nation’s north.

Niger state police command mentioned they’re investigating the killing and can make the perpetrators pay.

In a separate assault Sunday, gunmen in northwest Katsina state kidnapped seven ladies and two youngsters from a Pentecostal church throughout companies.

State police spokesman informed VOA by way of cellphone {that a} rescue operation is underway.

“The pastor was overwhelmed with a stick and he sustained fracture on his hand,” mentioned Isa Gambo, spokesperson for Katsina State Police. “To date search events are nonetheless making efforts, the police in collaboration with different safety businesses, particularly the Nigerian military and air drive are making efforts with the view of rescuing the victims.”

Nigerian authorities have been struggling to stem a wave of kidnappings for ransom simply weeks forward of normal elections.

The nation can also be dealing with communal clashes over land between farmers and herders in addition to assaults from Islamist militants. The violence, which outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari vowed to deal with when elected eight years in the past, is without doubt one of the main points forward of the elections on February 25.