Kill pastor in Niger after collecting ransom
A coalition of ethnic nationalities under the aegis of Atakar, Berom, Irigwe, Mwaghavwul and Ron Youths Association, in conjunction with the Coalition of Plateau Indigenous Youths, has raised the alarm over the forceful displacement and annexation of 151 indigenous hamlets, villages and communities as well as land grabbing in Plateau State by suspected bandits.
Meanwhile, bandits operating in Shiroro Local Council of Niger State have killed one Joshua Musa, a pastor, after they had collected ransom for his freedom.
Chairman of Indigenous Youths, Paul Dekete, while addressing newsmen at the NUJ Press Centre in Jos, yesterday, expressed disappointment over the low level of response to their plight by governments over the years.
The annexed communities according to them, are scattered in Bassa, Bokkos, Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Mangu local councils.
He said: “Given the unsatisfactory and feeble responses so far received from all levels of government in Nigeria, the Atakar, Berom, Irigwe, Mwaghavwul and Ron Youths Association, in conjunction with the Coalition of Plateau Indigenous Youths, are constraint to draw attention of the public, especially the international community, to the alarming and unacceptable loss of ancestral lands as well as the denial of access to farmlands and mining sites suffered by the customary landowners in the State.
“For several years, the youth bodies have been crying aloud and lodging complaints to appropriate authorities, including the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Assembly and others that there is a serious undercurrent to the unprecedented and well-orchestrated terror attacks unleashed on our hamlets, villages and communities, with the principal motive of dispossessing us of our God-given lands and territory.”
MUSA, who hails from Nasarawa State, was a Pastor of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) at Sarkin Pawa Community.
The pastor’s death was confirmed by some members of ECWA, who went on social media to condole with the family.
The bandits were said to have released Musa and other victims after collecting the ransom, but as they were leaving the forest, they dragged him back and killed him.
A member, Sunny Danbaba, wrote, “This pastor and his wife were kidnapped at Shiroro DCC. After payment to release them, on their way out of the bush, they killed him.”
Musa’s wife and the other victims were, however, spared and allowed to return to their homes.
