Pastor hacked to death in Kaduna

Silas Yakubu Ali, a pastor with the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Kibori-Asha Awuce in Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna state, has been killed by suspected hoodlums. 

Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna commissioner for internal security and home affairs, in a statement on Sunday, said the cleric went missing after he left for Kafanchan on Saturday.

Aruwan said a search party was deployed, after which the deceased was found dead — with machete injuries.

“Security agencies have reported to the Kaduna State Government the killing of Reverend Silas Yakubu Ali, Pastor of ECWA Church, Kibori-Asha Awuce, in Zangon Kataf LGA, by unknown assailants,” the statement reads.

“The report stated that Reverend Ali departed for Kafanchan on Saturday, and was not heard from until his corpse was found by a search party early on Sunday at Kibori community, near Asha-Awuce, where he was apparently attacked and macheted to death.”

The commissioner said Nasir el-Rufai, governor of the state, expressed sadness over the incident.

He said the governor has sent his condolences to the family of the deceased, adding that security agencies are investigating the incident.

“The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, expressed deep sadness at the report of the killing, which he described as horrifying and cruel. The Governor offered prayers for the repose of the soul of the cleric,” he said.

“Governor El-Rufai sent his condolences to the family of Reverend Silas Yakubu Ali, and to the ECWA Church in Kibori-Asha Awuce, as he prayed for God to grant them fortitude and comfort over this sudden and painful loss.

“The Governor urged security agencies to intensify efforts towards apprehending the perpetrators of the heinous killing, while appealing to members of the community to maintain calm.”