ABUJA, Nigeria (Morning Star News) – A church pastor in northeast Nigeria was slain on Thursday (Jan. 26), and anti-Christian violence continued to grow in the southern part of the country with the killing of two Christians in Delta state, sources said.
In northeast Nigeria, Pastor Jerry Hinjari of Christ Nation International was abducted from his home in Yola, Adamawa state around midnight on Wednesday (Jan. 25), and his body was found on a roadside in the city the next day. The assailants were unknown, though Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) members active in the region were suspected.
“Pastor Jerry Hinjari was kidnapped on Jan. 25, and his remains were discovered the following day,” Yahaya Nguroje, spokesman for the Adamawa State Police Command, said in a statement. “The commissioner of police, Sikiru Akande, has ordered an investigation to unravel those behind the dastardly act. We assure the good people of the state that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.”
Several area Christians notified Morning Star News of the death in text messages. Resident Elijah Sambo said Pastor Hinjari’s death left the Yola Christian community in shock.
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“He was passionate about the work of God, a philanthropist and humanitarian who was well known for his diverse service to God and to humanity,” Sambo said.
Pastor Chingtok Ishaku, a ministry colleague, prayed for strength.
“These are perilous times,” Pastor Ishaku said. “They took Pastor Jerry Hinjari and by wicked hands killed him. Lord, we ask that you answer by Yourself and for us, send comfort and strength especially for his family.”
Trixyl Golfa said Pastor Hinjari’s influence was widespread.
“The killing of apostle Jerry Hinjari, is too heavy a pain to bear,” Golfa said. “His demise is a major loss to the Body of Christ in the northeast region of Nigeria. His murder came to us all as a shock. He fought a good fight, leaving behind many disciples.”
Area resident Paul Agudasi called for prayer for “God to expose all the evil terrorists behind his assassination,” with resident Wisdom Bassey adding, “Apostle Jerry Hinjari was gruesomely murdered in the hands of wicked and unreasonable men who have no faith. It’s a sad and painful one, because the Body of Christ needs his fire, message, love and contributions now more than ever.”
Bassey prayed for the repentance of the killers.
“May his killers come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior like Saul of Tarsus,” he said. “And may God’s true servants be protected from wicked and unreasonable men and women all over the world.”
Delta Deaths
In Nigeria’s Delta region, Fulani herdsmen killed two Christians last week and wounded and kidnapped others, area residents said.
In Toru-Angiama village, Patani County in Delta state, police said assailants on Jan. 23 killed two Christians, shot and wounded another and kidnapped several others.
“We’ve recovered two corpses from the area, and one other victim is in the hospital,” Bright Edafe, spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command told Morning Star News. “Efforts are on to rescue those captured by the terrorists. We are also carrying out investigation to determine those behind the attack.”
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