In northeast Nigeria, Pastor Jerry Hinjari of Christ Nation International was abducted from his home in Yola, Adamawa state around midnight on Wednesday 25 January, and his body was found on a roadside in the city the next day. The assailants were unknown, though Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) members active in the region are suspected.
Elijah Sambo, a local said, “He was passionate about the work of God, a philanthropist and humanitarian who was well known for his diverse service to God and to humanity.”
In another incident on 23 January in Toru-Angiama village, Patani County in Delta state, Fulani herdsmen killed two Christians, wounded one other and kidnapped several others, according to locals.
“We’ve recovered two corpses from the area, and one other victim is in the hospital,” said Bright Edafe, spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command. “Efforts are on to rescue those captured by the terrorists. We are also carrying out an investigation to determine those behind the attack.”
Andrew Ekiyor, an area Christian leader, said those shot to death by Fulani herdsmen were Mr Egbejule and his son.
“Both were attacked as they were working on their farm,” Ekiyor said. “The herdsmen not only killed the two Christians but also pushed their cattle herds on the farms of the Christian victims, resulting in the destruction of the crops on the farm.”
The person wounded escaped and notified others in the community of the attack, he said.
“He was taken to the hospital, where he’s currently being treated for gunshot wounds,” he said. “The wounded escapee also disclosed that the herdsmen after attacking them succeeded in capturing some of our Christian villagers, who are now being held captive.”
Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians’ lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds.
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