The widow of a pastor abducted and killed by suspected Fulani Islamists in Plateau State, Nigeria has told how she begged the gunmen to let her husband go free.
She was travelling with her husband Pastor Hills Emmanuel, his colleague, Pastor Gabriel Joseph Dipak, and six other passengers in a commercial minibus from the state capital, Jos, to Bokkos when the vehicle was ambushed on 28 August.
The gunmen immediately began searching the passengers, robbing them of their mobile phones and other valuables.
Pastor Hills Emmanuel leaves a widow and five children [Image credit: Masara Kim/ X]
“When they realised my husband and Pastor Dipak were men of God, they seized the two of them,” recounted Mrs Emmanuel.
“I was pleading with them to release my husband and the other pastor since they had robbed us of our belongings, but they said they were going to kidnap the two of them.
“As they were being dragged into the bush, one of the Fulani men turned to me and said I would not see my husband alive again.
“And true to their words, they killed him.”
Second pastor remains missing
The body of Pastor Emmanuel was found the following day, close to the scene of the ambush.
At the time of writing, the whereabouts of Pastor Dipak were unknown.
Mrs Emmanuel added, “My husband was a dedicated servant of God and a respected leader within the Christian community in Bokkos.
“We had five children, and now they have made me a widow and my children fatherless.”
The killers of Pastor Emmanuel are also reported to have carried out three other attacks on the same night, leaving three dead and at least one person injured.
The attacks occurred in communities located between ten and 20 miles from the site of the pastors’ abduction.
How you can pray
Ask the Lord Jesus to draw close to the widow and children of Pastor Emmanuel, and for them to know His peace. Pray for the swift and safe return of Pastor Dipak. Pray that the militants will turn away from hatred and learn the truth of the Good Shepherd.
