Clement Ekong, Yola
Boko Haram members have reportedly killed the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Pastor Lawan Andimi.
Andimi was abducted on January 4, 2020 when the terrorists attacked his village where dozens of innocent people were killed.
In his reaction, President Muhammadu Buhari described Andimi’s murder as cruel, inhuman and deliberately provocative.
A source said Andimi was beheaded by his captors on Monday.
Days after his abduction, the clergyman, in a video clip, appealed to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State to rescue him.
He said: “I have never been discouraged, because all conditions that one finds himself… is in the hand of God. God who made them to take care of me….
“The summary of my speech; I am appealing to my colleagues, reverends, particularly my president, Rev. Joel Billy, who is a strong man, a man of compassion and man of love. He can do all his best to speak to our governor, Umaru Fintiri, and all security agencies for my release here.”
Meanwhile, the state Chairman of CAN, Rev. Fr. Dami Mamza, confirmed Andimi’s killing to journalists in Yola yesterday.
Mamza disclosed that negotiations were still going on with the insurgents last week when they stopped calling after the offer was handed to them.
The chairman, however, revealed that the terrorists had demanded a ransom of 2 million Euro (about N800 million). He said the terrorists were offered N50 million which they rejected and went ahead to behead the man of God.
Mamza said the church could not have raised the ransom the insurgents had demanded.
He said: “They demanded 2 million Euro. We couldn’t afford that kind of money here. But that was not what led to his execution. I think they already have intentions to execute him. That was the plan, and nothing would have stopped that.
“They established contact with the church, and there was a conversation. And then they stopped and went ahead to kill him.”
The chairman added that the insurgents also called the wife of the slain pastor that they would kill her husband on Saturday, but they delayed until Monday before they carried out their dastardly act.
Mamza added that the video and picture of the killing were released through Ahmed Sarkida, a Boko Haram negotiator based in Dubai.
He disclosed that the picture of the gruesome murder of Andimi was released to the President of the EYN Church, Rev. Daniel Mbaya.
In its reaction, Governor Fintiri described Andimi’s killing as barbaric.
The Director-General (DG), Media and Communications to the governor, Mr. Solomon Kumanga, described the development as unfortunate after several arrangements were perfected for the release of the abducted pastor.
Meanwhile, Buhari expressed sorrow that the terrorists went on to kill the religious leader while giving signals at the same time of a willingness to set him free by releasing him to third parties.
The President consoled the Christian community all over Nigeria, the government and people of Adamawa State and Andimi’s family over the sad loss of the cleric.
Buhari promised that terrorists would continue to pay a heavy price for their actions and would comprehensively be defeated by the Nigerian Armed Forces.
He urged nations of the world to end all support provided to Boko Haram and Islam in West Africa (ISWA) terror groups whose only goal “is to sow death, violence and destruction” in the sub-region.
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