Gunmen kill abducted ECWA pastor after collecting N1m ransom in Kogi

Pastor David Musa, a clergyman affiliated with the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), met a tragic end at the hands of his abductors in Kogi State. The unfortunate incident occurred on Tuesday night following the payment of a N1 million ransom by his family to the gunmen.

The distressing news of his murder surfaced on a social media church platform on Wednesday morning, conveying the somber message, “It is with a heavy heart but in total submission to the will of God, I write to inform you that the abductors of our brother, Pastor Musa David, have killed him after collecting a ransom of one million naira last night. Let our prayers be with the family, the Church, and the DCC in this trying moment.”

The initial report of the pastor’s abduction emerged on Saturday, November 11, amidst the Kogi State governorship election. The incident took place in the Obajana area. Formerly overseeing ECWA Bishara, Ajaokuta, Pastor David’s brutal murder has instilled fear within his congregation and the broader state.

The Lokoja/Obajana/Kabba Road has witnessed increasing insecurity, with frequent operations by gunmen who abduct individuals, leading to tragic outcomes. In a previous incident in September, an army Major was among 26 people taken into the bush near Kabba town, and while some were released after a week in captivity, the fate of others remains unknown.

In a related development, individuals narrowly escaped abduction when gunmen took control of the road on a recent Sunday, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced security measures in the region.