A Nigerian pastor who refused to deny Christ in a ransom video was executed by his captors, it was revealed by The Christian Post.
The pastor known as Lawan Andimi made headlines when he praised God during a ransom video after he was kidnapped by Islamist group Boko Haram earlier this year.
Rev. Andimi was the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria’s chapter in the Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, which lies in the Northeast of the West African Nation.
Andimi was reported missing on January 3 following a raid in Michika.
A video which surfaced online showed Andimi being forced into a vehicle.
A few days after his kidnapping, a video was released by his captors calling to local authorities and Christians to secure his release.
Stoically, Andimi said that, in spite of the situation, “all conditions that one finds himself is in the hand of God.”
He also said: “By the grace of God, I will be together with my wife and my children and all my colleagues.
“If the opportunity has not been granted, maybe it is the will of God.”
However, on Monday, the news broke that Andimi had been executed.
A source told the U.S.-based nongovernmental organization, Save the Persecuted Christians, that Andimi’s family was notified about the pastor’s tragic end.
According to Save the Persecuted Christians Executive Director, Dede Laugesen, a source had informed them “They have slaughtered [Andimi] in Sambisa forest.”
“They murdered him because he refused to renounce his faith. And because they couldn’t raise the money for his ransom.”
To break some news items can traumatize. I'm battling with one of such. Reverend Andimi, abducted by #BokoHaram was executed yesterday. Rev. Andimi was a church leader, a father to his children and the community he served. My condolences go to his family. pic.twitter.com/1G9n3RLQjk
— Ahmad Salkida (@A_Salkida) January 21, 2020
His captors were demanding $2.2M USD, but the church community could only pull together around $5,500 USD.
Aside from Andimi’s brutal execution, another Christian leader was killed in Nigeria this week, by Islamists.
Pastor Denis Bagauri of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria was reportedly gunned down at his home in Nassarawo Jereng of Mayobelwa Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Sunday night.
Boko Haram and ISWAP have both been responsible for a rise in anti-Christian violence rocking the country in recent months.
