Pastor Slain, Wife Kidnapped in Kaduna State, Nigeria
According to the Rev. Romanus Ebenwokodi, spokesman for ECWA in Jos, Plateau State, “bandits” killed the Rev. Joshua Amako Maraya of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), 2, in Damakasuwa town at night.
According to the Rev. Romanus Ebenwokodi, spokesman for ECWA in Jos, Plateau State, “bandits” killed the Rev. Joshua Amako Maraya of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), 2, in Damakasuwa town at night.
“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 said in a press statement.
Reportedly, the kidnappers released the late pastor’s wife late on Sunday (Nov. 19) after they paid a ransom.
A nephew of the late pastor, Geoffrey Ruga, said his uncle was “brutally killed in his house.”
Wisdom Christopher, a member of Pastor Maraaya’s congregation, claimed that “terrorists invaded his house.”
Yohanna Gandu, a government minister, described Pastor Maraya as “a gallant soldier for Jesus Christ.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the church and family in this time of sorrow,” Gandu said. “We pray that the Lord will uphold His church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against her.”
Nigeria led the world in Christians killed for their faith in 2022, with 5,014, according to Open Doors’ 2023 World Watch List (WWL) report.
It also led the world in Christians being abducted (4,726), sexually assaulted or harassed, forcibly married, or physically or mentally abused, and it had the most homes and businesses attacked for faith-based reasons. As in the previous year, Nigeria had the second most church attacks and internally displaced people.
In the 2023 World Watch List of the countries where it is most challenging to be a Christian, Nigeria jumped to sixth place, its highest ranking ever, from No. 7 the previous year.
“Militants from the Fulani, Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and others conduct raids on Christian communities, killing, maiming, raping, and kidnapping for ransom or sexual slavery,” the WWL report noted.
Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and others have conducted raids on Christian communities, killing, maiming, raping, and kidnapping for ransom or sexual slavery, as noted in the WWL report. The violence has also spilled over into the Christian-majority south of the nation this year.
