Boko Haram threat to kill Pastor Bulus Yikura of the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN) if their demands are not met by 3rd March, 2021 is one too many assaults on Christian faith in Nigeria.
In a recent video released by the Abubakar Shekau-led faction of the Boko Haram, Yikura pleaded for government and Christian leaders to secure his release.
“I’m calling on President Muhammadu Buhari and the governor of Borno to help me, because I have been given a one-week ultimatum today, Feb. 24. If you want me alive, I beg you in your capacity as president, the governor and our local government chairman to save me from this suffering.”
Pastor Yikura was captured on Dec. 24 in Pemi village, near Chibok in Borno state, by the insurgents. The Christmas Eve attacks on several villages near Chibok killed 11 people and destroyed homes.
In the new video, Pastor Yikura also calls on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the EYN president to secure his release.
“Please pray for me,” he reportedly says. Today is the last day I will have the opportunity to call on you in your capacity as my parents and relatives in the country. Anyone who has the intention should help and save me. Please release me from this pain.”
In the prior video, his captor in military camouflage asks him his name and occupation in the Hausa language. He then asks him, “What is your message to your brethren?”
“I’m calling on my brethren, my relatives, parents, my church, LCC [Local Church Council] Pemi 1, the DCC [District Church Council], and the GCC [General Church Council]; that is our headquarters,” Pastor Yikura says. “I’m calling on the office of the president of my church, officials of Chibok Local Government Council, the Borno state governor, and the president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, to please help get me released from captivity.
“With your help I believe I will be able to get out of here where I’m being held captive. Please help secure my release from Boko Haram captivity – whatever may be their demands, if it is not beyond your power, and I know their demands wouldn’t be beyond you. I know our God is powerful and His mighty presence is here; with your support I will definitely leave this place I’m being held because I know you can meet their demands.
“Whether it is Nigeria’s president, our governor, including the leadership of our Christian faith, it is not beyond your power to get me out of here.
“However, if this is the end of my life, then praise be to God. It is my prayer that God help us all. That’s all I have to say, and may you all heed to my plea,” he pleaded.
Meanwhile, the nature of ransom demanded by the terrorists is not yet disclosed to newsmen.
