Yobe State chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Bishop Yohanna Audu, has confirmed the killing of a pastor of Church of Christ In Nations (COCIN) and five other persons when some suspected members of Boko Haram terrorists invaded Kwari Area, Asheikri Ward of Gaidam local government area.
Speaking with LEADERSHIP today in Damaturu, Bishop Yohanna Audu described the attacks on the COCIN church and the killing of a pastor and other members as barbaric, anti-religious and unfortunate.
According to him, the insurgents invaded the house of the pastor and killed him alongside other members before setting the church (COCIN) ablaze.
Also, speaking with our correspondent, the executive secretary Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA) Mohammed Goje said, “Yobe SEMA received a distress call from Gaidam LGA emergency responders and concerned community members of an attack by suspected NSAGs on the 4th of January 2024.
at exactly 12:30am at Kwari Area, Asheikri Ward in Geidam local government.
He said that SEMA team were mobilised to the scene, and carried out a rapid assessment and based on findings, six persons including five male, and a female were killed and 7 houses were burnt to ash.
Goje added that one vigilante officer was also killed by UXO and one church was burnt. Also, an unexplosive ordinances (UXO) exploded and killed one personnel of the NSCDC and injured 3 other military persons.
LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered that details of the victims include five male, and a female, who were instantly killed, in addition to 7 houses and a Church of Christ In Nations (COCIN) that were burnt to ashes, as well as one vigilante officer who was also killed by Unexplosive Ordinances (UXO).
Gaidam is about 180km drive from Damaturu the Yobe state capital which had witnessed a series of attacks in the past.
Recall that the fresh attacks on Gaidam came barely few days after suspected armed terrorists invaded Buni Yadi communities of Gujba Local Government killing 1 Soldier with abduction of many passages.