El-Rufai grieves over murder of ECWA pastor in Kaduna

Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State has expressed shock and grief over the gruesome killing of the Pastor of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Rev. Silas Ali, in Zangon Kataf Local Council of the state.

In a security update, yesterday, the governor condoled with the bereaved family and ECWA leaders over the tragedy.

The government also appealed for calm in the community after the cruel and horrifying killing.

According to a statement by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, the security agencies have reported the killing to the government.

“Rev. Ali departed for Kafanchan on Saturday and was not heard from until his corpse was found by a search party yesterday at Kibori community, near Asha-Awuce, where he was apparently killed with a machete.

“The governor expressed deep sadness at the report of the killing, which he described as horrifying and cruel. He offered prayers for the repose of the soul of the cleric,” the statement reads.

Praying God to grant the bereaved the fortitude to bear the sudden 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.

Aruwan added that security agencies were conducting investigations in the general area.