A pastor in Taraba has been strangled by unknown men while returning from pastoral duties.
Joshua Adah, a married father of two children aged 8 and 6, was said to have been murdered unknown assailants atChediya area in Wukari LGA of the state on Friday, January 23.
A police spokesman, Joseph Kwaji reportedly told newsmen pastor Adah was strangled where his car broke down along the way.
ASP Kwaji said: “The
pastor’s car broke down at Chediya on his return from Kogi. He then
phoned his mechanic at Jalingo to help him fix the car. When the
mechanic arrived, the two men agreed to hire a vehicle at nearby Dan
Anacha, which would toll the car to Jalingo.”
According to Kwaji, ‘the mechanic upon return to the scene could not find the pastor’, adding that ‘after a thorough search, his body was found in the area’.
However, reports from Morning Star news says Pastor Adah was found to be butchered by Fulani herdsmen.
According to the news site, Adah’s wife reportedly confirmed her husband was ‘mercilessly hacked to death’ by Fulani herdsmen.
It
was also reported that the late pastor was returning from his mission
station in Bantaje, a village near Jalingo, from an evangelistic
outreach to some villagers when his car broke down.
A member of Pastor Adah’s ministry had told reporters that some armed, ethnic Fulani cattlemen had invaded area Christian communities last week.
“A
few kilometers from Jalingo, he had car issues along the Wukari-Jalingo
road, he was mercilessly hacked to death by Fulani herdsmen and Boko
Haram,” the church member said.
Pastor
Adah’s pastoral ministry is known for its enormous contribution to
communities in Taraba, providing education, medicine and clothing to
thousands of impoverished people.
The remains of
the deceased pastor has been deposited at a mortuary in Wukari, while a
full investigation into his murder has commenced.