Community Mourns As Pastor Falls Victim To Deadly Ambush
Last week, tragic news surfaced of the killing of a Christian pastor while he was on his way to provide ministry support in northern Kaduna state. Reverend Manasseh Ibrahim, affiliated with the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Church in Gure, fell victim to an ambush by “bandits” along the Birnin Gwari-Kaduna Highway. Despite the prevalent violence in southern Kaduna involving Fulani herdsmen and other terrorist groups, this incident occurred in the northern region of the state, highlighting the widespread security challenges faced by Christians in the area.
The Birnin Gwari chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) confirmed the tragic event, with Reverend Yahaya Kinge, the local CAN chairman, expressing deep frustration over the ongoing violence targeting Christians. He emphasized the weariness felt by the Christian community in Kaduna, citing the government’s failure to address the relentless attacks on innocent Christians as a major concern. Reverend Ibrahim’s affiliation with the ECWA Gure congregation under the ECWA Kaduna Central District Church Council (KCDCC) underscores the vulnerability of pastors and church members to such acts of violence.
The incident adds to Nigeria’s grim statistics as the deadliest country for Christians, as reported by Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List (WWL). From October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023, Nigeria witnessed the martyrdom of 4,118 individuals due to their faith, with an alarming number of Christian kidnappings, totaling 3,300 cases. Additionally, Nigeria ranked third globally in attacks on churches and Christian establishments, with 750 incidents reported. Despite these challenges, Nigeria retained its position as the sixth most difficult country for Christians to practice their faith, highlighting the urgent need for effective measures to address the escalating violence and persecution.
The tragic killing of Reverend Ibrahim underscores the urgent need for increased security measures to protect pastors and church members in vulnerable regions like Kaduna. It also highlights the broader issue of religious persecution faced by Christians in Nigeria, where attacks on churches and individuals continue to escalate. The government’s response to these challenges will be crucial in safeguarding the rights and safety of Christians and addressing the root causes of violence and extremism in the country.