A revered senior pastor of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Reverend Silas Yakubu Ali, who was heading a church in Kibori-Asha Awuce in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has been killed by unknown assailants.
Thenewsbearer learnt that Reverend Ali left for Kafanchan on Saturday, September 11, 2021, but could not be communicated with, making a group of worshippers and villagers to set out to look for him.
His body was found early on Sunday morning at Kibori Community near Asha-Awuce, where he was discovered to have been attacked and macheted to death.
Confirming the incident on Sunday, the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, appealed for calm after what he described as “cruel and horrifying killing.”
The Commissioner said: “The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai expressed deep sadness at the report of the killing, which he described as horrifying and cruel. The Governor offered prayers for the repose of the soul of the cleric.”
The governor also sent his condolences to the family of the deceased and the ECWA Church in Kibori Asha-Awuce, with prayers to God to grant them fortitude and comfort over the unexpected and painful loss.
“The governor urged security agencies to intensify efforts towards apprehending the perpetrators of the heinous killing, while appealing to members of the community to maintain calm. Security agencies are conducting investigations in the general area,” the Commissioner added in his statement.
The Reverend’s death was also confirmed by the ECWA church, with its Zonon District Church Council (DCC) sending messages to branches on Sunday.
The deceased until his death was the Senior Pastor of ECWA in Kibori and formerly DCC Assistant Secretary.
The church leadership and Reverend Ali’s family would announce burial arrangements, it was said.
