Tragic End: ECWA Pastor David Musa Murdered After Ransom Payment In Kogi State

Tragic End: ECWA Pastor David Musa Murdered After Ransom Payment In Kogi State

The tranquil community of Obajana, under the Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, has been plunged into a state of profound grief following the tragic murder of Pastor David Musa, a revered clergyman with the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA). The shocking incident, which has reverberated across the state and beyond, underscores the escalating insecurity in the region.

Pastor Musa, a respected figure in his community and a spiritual leader at his church, met a tragic end at the hands of his abductors despite the payment of a N1 million ransom. His abduction, which occurred on Saturday, November 11, 2023, sent ripples of fear and anxiety through the community, which swiftly escalated into a nightmarish reality.

According to Mary, a member of Pastor Musa’s church, the clergyman had visited his farm on the day of his abduction. Concerns arose when he failed to return home in the evening, prompting his wife and other community members to raise an alarm. A search party, comprising church members and local residents, discovered that Pastor Musa had been kidnapped from his farm.

The abductors initially demanded an exorbitant ransom of N20,000,000, an amount far beyond the means of the church and Pastor Musa’s family. After intense negotiations, the kidnappers reduced their demand to N1,000,000, along with additional requests for recharge cards, chicken, and alcoholic beverages. Two members of the church were sent to deliver the ransom and the requested items to the kidnappers’ hideout.

In a harrowing turn of events, after the ransom was paid, the kidnappers deceitfully released Pastor Musa along with the two church members who had delivered the ransom. However, they cruelly summoned him back, only to fatally shoot him as he approached, ending his life in a brutal manner.

The community of Obajana and the ECWA church have been left in a state of shock and mourning over this senseless act of violence. The news of Pastor Musa’s murder was first shared on the church’s social media platform on Wednesday morning, with a message expressing deep sorrow and calling for prayers for the family and the church community during this difficult time.

The late Pastor David Musa, formerly in charge of ECWA Bishara in Ajaokuta, was known for his dedication to his faith and his commitment to serving his congregation and community. His untimely and gruesome death has heightened fear and panic among his congregation and the wider state.

The incident is a grim reminder of the increasing insecurity on the Lokoja, Obajana, and Kabba roads, where gunmen have been operating with alarming frequency. The area has witnessed a spate of abductions and killings, including a notable incident in September, where an army major and 25 others were abducted near Kabba town.

The Kogi State Police Command, under the direction of the Public Relations Officer SP William Ayah, has confirmed the incident and assured the public that an investigation is underway. SP Ayah has vowed that those responsible for the heinous killing of Pastor Musa will be apprehended and brought to justice.

This tragic event has not only cast a shadow over the community of Obajana but has also raised serious concerns about the safety and security of the citizens of Kogi State. The loss of Pastor Musa is a stark reminder of the precarious state of security in the region and the urgent need for effective measures to protect the lives and property of the people.

As the community mourns the loss of a beloved pastor, the focus is now on the authorities to intensify efforts to curb the menace of kidnapping and violence, ensuring that such tragic incidents do not recur and that justice is served for the innocent lives lost to such senseless acts of violence.