Daredevil kidnappers have shot and killed a Nigerian pastor, David Musa, after collecting a ransom from members of his church.
Rev. Musa of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Obajana, Kogi State, North West Nigeria, was kidnapped earlier on Saturday November 11 and killed on Tuesday November 14, Morning Star News has reported.
A member of the church, John Emmanuel, said in a text message to the newspaper, “With a 0heavy heart, I want to inform you that an evil act has taken place. My pastor, Rev. David Musa of ECWA, Obajana, who was kidnapped on Saturday (November 11) while he was in his farm, has been killed by terrorist captors after they collected the ransom they demanded. Kindly pray for the family and the church, the ECWA Obajana Local Church Board, and the ECWA church denomination at large.”
The kidnappers, according to another member of the church, Stephen Danladi, demanded N20 million but accepted N1 million ransom paid to them.
He said, “Rev. Musa was killed by the terrorists after they were paid a ransom of 1 million naira by the church leadership. This is because the church was unable to raise the 20 million naira demanded by the terrorists,” Danladi said, adding that Christians had prayed for the release of the pastor.
“We have accepted his demise in good faith as Christians, believing that this is the sovereign will of Christ. Let us continue to pray for his family and the church at large.”
Another member called Mary, narrated that Rev Musa’s abductors agreed to take N1 million as ransom before two members of the church went to take back the clergyman. However, after they allowed the two church leaders to take the cleric and leave, they called him to return and shot him dead just as he was coming back.
“With a heavy heart but in total submission to the will of God, we write to inform you that the abductors of our brother, Pastor Musa David, have killed him after collecting a ransom of 1 million naira on the night of Tuesday (November 14). Let our prayers be with the family, the church and the District Church Council in this trying moment,” the ECWA Obajana District Church Council, said.
Police spokesperson in Kogi State, William Ovye Aya, confirmed the abduction and killing of the pastor.
He said, “We have received a report from ECWA about the incident, and the command has begun investigation into it. We want to assure the church that those behind the killing of Pastor Musa will be arrested and prosecuted.”
