Pastor killed, wife kidnapped by militantsin Kaduna state, Nigeria on Friday (Nov. 17). Pastor Amako Maraya of the second Evangelical Church Winning All, Damakasuwa, was brutally killed by people who are thought to be Fulani rebels in the Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. In an even scarier turn of events, the shooters also took his wife during the same event, leaving the community shocked and hopeless.
Pastor Killed, Wife Kidnapped By Militants
Fulani militants are thought to have recently attacked two rural Christian communities in Nigeria. They killed a pastor-farmer who was 48 years old and took his wife hostage, wanting a one million Naira ($1,200 USD) ransom.
An ECWA member named Rev. Joshua Amako Maraya was killed by "bandits" at night in the town of Damakasuwa, according to the Rev. Romanus Ebenwokodi, spokeswoman for the ECWA in Jos, Plateau state. Pastor Ebenwokodi said in a press statement:
“„We solicit your prayers for the safe return of the wife and comfort to the family and ECWA, Damakasuwa District Church Council (DCC).- Pastor Ebenwokodi
After three nights and a smaller ransom being paid, the 40-year-old woman with seven children was freed. An official from the community in Damakasuwa told a worker from International Christian Concern (ICC) that Fulani terrorists have been attacking the community there every day for the past two months. Damakasuwa is northeast of the Kauru LGA in Kaduna State. An ECWA church leader, Pastor Ebenwokodi told ICC:
“„The Fulani militants killed Reverend Amako Maraya. He is my pastor. Last Sunday before he was killed, he preached about forgiveness.- Pastor Ebenwokodi
Attacks that have killed dozens of people have made the leader beg the government to do more to protect the community. Wisdom Christopher, a member of Pastor Maraya's church, said that he was killed by “terrorists who invaded his house.”
“„We, the members of the church, are in deep pain over the killing of our dear father, uncle, brother and friend. The Rev. Maraya always encouraged us to preach the gospel with courage and without reservation. He said, ''The message of the gospel is for Jesus, so don’t fail to preach it because of fear. Preach it, whether they like it or not, just deliver it.' He was a father, mentor, and a friend to us. Please Pray for the wife’s rescue, the comfort of his family, and that of the church.- Wisdom Christopher
A 27-year-old vegetable farmer was killed in Mangu County, Plateau State, on November 16 by people who were thought to be Fulani extremists. In this area, hundreds of Christians have been killed and many homes have been burned in the past year.
A group of women from the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union told reporters in Kaduna City in October that Fulani terrorists had taken 27 women and 4 boys hostage.
Final Words
Someone with a gun killed Amako Maraya, the pastor of the second Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. He was in charge of the Damakasuwa branch. Also taken by the shooters was the dead man's wife.
After brutally killing the preacher and taking his wife hostage, the criminals asked the family for a N3 million ransom. This extortion has made things even harder for a family that is already suffering.
People in the community are still traumatized by what happened and are pleading with security agencies and the government to help free the widow who was kidnapped. The mood is tense, and the people who live there are hoping for a quick answer.