Religious Leaders in Nigeria Demand Arrest, Prosecution of Pastor's Killers

On September 22, Pastor Shuaibu returned to the village to evacuate pupils from a school constructed for indigenous Hausa Christian children.  

When he arrived in the village, the Pastor noted some calm, a situation that made him consider resettling with his family.

Unfortunately, a mob that was allegedly Muslim, attacked the family that night. Mrs. Shuaibu escaped with the children but the angry mob attacked the Pastor using machetes. 

The police rescued the Pastor after being informed about the incident by CAN’s vice chairperson. Pastor Shuaibu died while receiving treatment following his injuries.

In their October 7 statement signed by NIREC Executive Secretary, Cornelius Omonokhua, the representatives of religious leaders in Nigeria condemn the Pastor Shuaibu’s killing, the attack on his church building, and the destruction of his house, and say, “No reason can justify this criminality.”

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They also condole with the slain Pastor’s family and pray for the repose of his soul. 

NIREC officials also express their appreciation to those who did not take the law into their own hands on the night of the late Pastor was attacked.  

They also acknowledge with appreciation actions by police officers who have been “ensuring peace by protecting lives and property in the community.”

In the October 7 statement, NIREC officials also appeal to the people of God in Kano to remain calm. 

"We call for calm as NIREC is already in touch with Rev. Adeolu Samuel Adeyemo, CAN Chairman, Kano State, and the Emir of Kano, His Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, to find the way forward out of this unfortunate incident," they say. 

The representatives of religious leaders in Nigeria also urge residents of Kano and Nigerians at large “to strive for peaceful coexistence in the various communities of the nation.”

Last week, the leadership of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), a UK-based human rights organization, called on the police force in Nigeria to “spare no effort in locating and prosecuting” those responsible for Pastor Shuaibu’s death.

CSW’s founder, President Mervyn Thomas, also called on State and Federal governments to start educating the people of God about “interreligious harmony.”

“We call on the Federal and State authorities to develop civic education programs that promote interreligious harmony and equal citizenship, and to model these qualities consistently both in word and in deed,” Mr. Mervyn said in a September 27 report. 

He added, “More must be done to tackle the societal tensions that facilitate regular outbreaks of religiously-motivated violence.”

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Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.